Exeter City Council - Development Plans
A major programme of investment is in place for the Exeter and East Devon Growth Point. This aims to be one of the largest sustainable developments in the UK. It should be attractive to serious investors.
The summary below gives details of the Exeter area programme of investment:
Exeter and East Devon Growth Point (LINK)
Exeter Science Park: A multi-purpose site located at the interchange of Junction 29 of the M5 motorway and A303/A30. Costing over £150m, the development extends across 24ha and provides 67,300 sq m of accommodation.
The Science Park will support new hi-tech, and R&D companies. This support will include close links with the University of Exeter, its Innovation Centre and networking opportunities with key employers in the science sector. The presence of a high-quality hotel and conference centre on the Science Park will also help new businesses.
Cranbrook: This new town, east of Exeter, will comprise 8,500 homes, of which approximately 40% will be suitable for first time buyers. The town will include a combined heat & power station, powered from locally sourced sustainable wood fuel, and generating electricity and heat for the first 2,900 homes. This will produce an estimated 10,000 fewer tonnes of CO2 emissions a year than more conventional energy sources.
Skypark: This £231m commercial park will be built near Exeter International Airport. It will comprise 37ha of employment land with 130,000 sq m of offices and industrial space.
Road improvements: £13m of improvments to the transport infrastructure will increase capacity at Junctions 29 and 30 of the M5 and improve bus priority on roads between Cranbrook and Skypark.
Inter Modal Freight Terminal: Developed on a 65ha site, this rail freight terminal and distribution centre to the north of the airport will be a new facility. A greater amount of freight can then be transported by rail, increasing the area's ‘green’ credentials.
Future Urban projects include:
- Redevelopment of the existing area of Exeter's city centre bus station
- Re-routing key routes to improve the city's transport system and establishing quality public transport between Exeter and the new town of Cranbrook.
Residential: Housing development in the Monkerton/Hill Barton area, close to Junction 29 of the M5 Motorway, will create around 2,300 new dwellings and about 5 hectares of employment land.
Why is Exeter a strategic choice for future investment?
- Exeter's economy has a successful track record.
- The local economy is one of the top performing locations within the UK.
- The quality of local education, training, and research has been a factor in recent success. Comparatively lower wages and rents in the area can mean lower operating costs for relocating businesses.
- The supply of excellent sites, accommodation, and housing should provide a profitable base for relocating businesses.
- The area offers a great lifestyle.
- Exeter is a successful city and is in the top 2% in the UK for its rate of growth in job creation. It is fast becoming one of the largest concentrations of high value employment in the South West.
Planned Developments
Cranbrook
Housing Development, Mixed Use Development, Major CommercialEnergy
Construction of a new town, including 8,500 homes, east of Exeter. A Combined Heat & Power station from locally sourced sustainable wood fuel will generate electricity and heat for the first 2,900 homes, saving an estimated 10,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Exeter and East Devon Growth Point
Mixed Use Development, Major CommercialExeter and East Devon Growth Point. A strategic and regionally important area of economic development. Over 60ha of employment land will be developed.
John Lewis Retail Store, Exeter
Retail Development, Major CommercialJohn Lewis’s new retail store is under construction within the city centre of Exeter. The presence of this premier retailer will boost Exeter’s retail catchment and add to its attraction as one of only 10 quality centres in Great Britain. Whilst no formal plans have been submitted for the Exeter Bus & Coach Station, it is a prime site for mixed use redevelopment. The development would expand the city’s retail offer.
Completion Date: 11/2012Exeter International Airport
Airport Development, Major CommercialThe Airport will cater for 2 million annual visitors by 2015. Its runway is nearly 2,100m in length. It is capable of handling all civil aviation aircraft including the Boeing 747.
Over £125M of investment is being provided for new infrastructure and facilities. Most of the new works will commence in the 2013 – 2014.
Improvements will increase terminal space, customer handling facilities and long term parking spaces and provide a 160 bed hotel for Flybe’s recently opened engineering training facilities.
Flybe’s Training Academy opened in 2011. It is a centre of excellence providing training solutions to meet the needs of Flybe, Exeter International Airport and other organisations.
Completion Date: 2030Streatham Campus, University of Exeter
Tourism & Leisure, University/Science/Research, Retail Development, Mixed Use DevelopmentThe University of Exeter continues to grow its world class reputation by employing more researchers and investing over £120M in new research facilities and equipment. Its research has made real differences in the world. For example, by achieving breakthroughs in tackling diabetes and mood disorders, mitigating the adverse impact of climate changes through new technological developments and improving understanding of religious radicalisation.
The University’s £275 million investment programme on the Streatham Campus includes projects such as the Business School expansion, INTO Academic Centre, refurbishment of the library and the flagship Forum. The Forum will be the main visitor and student reception area for the University. This will offer opportunities for arts and cultural development. It will include a mix of outside and inside space. For example, student services, retail, catering, technology-rich learning spaces and a 400-seat lecture theatre.
Refurbishment of Exeter St Davids and Exeter Central Stations
Rail InfrastructureIn December 2011, Network rail completed £22M investment in infrastructure for the Exeter St Davids to Waterloo line. This has improved travel times. South West Trains have also increased the frequency of trains, running an hourly service and also extended the late night services traveling from Exeter to London.
Infrastructure works by Network Rail at Exeter’s two mainline stations has commenced. Exeter St Davids and Exeter Central are undergoing £7m of refurbishment to improve facilities for customers and to enhance their image as gateways to the city.
Completion Date: 2012Network Rail Joint Venture Opportunity
Rail Infrastructure, Road Infrastructure, Mixed Use DevelopmentNetwork Rail is searching for a development partner to redevelop over 2ha of land adjacent to Exeter St. Davids, the city’s busiest station, which handles over 2 million passengers a year. The infrastructure improvements planned include mixed use development, additional car parking and a new public transport interchange.
Exeter Bus Station also poses an opportunity for development, involving the mixed-use redevelopment of the Exeter Bus & Coach Station site, no formal plans submitted at time of writing. There is the opportunity to expand the city centre offer, with an enhanced bus station with overnight bus parking located elsewhere within Exeter.
Completion Date: 2013Cranbrook Power Station
Major CommercialEnergy / Power
Cranbrook, east of Exeter will have the largest net zero carbon new development in the UK. Work is underway on the £25M renewable energy investment to build a district heating and biomass combined heat and power system.
Completion Date: 2013Hotels and Restaurants
Tourism & Leisure, Mixed Use Development- Magdalen Chapter Hotel: complete refurbishment and extension of a local hotel due to open spring 2012
- University of Exeter, Thomas Hall: 97 bedroom conference hotel and restaurant; due to be completed 2012.
- Dean Clarke House – 250 seat restaurant (Exeter's Cosy Club) located on the ground floor of the Halford Wing of Dean Clarke House. Due to open mid 2012.
- Planning application submitted in September 2011 for a new 120 bed hotel and conference centre, located adjacent to the Met Office.
- Planning application submitted December 2011 for a 120 bed hotel, offices, cafe/restaurant and basement parking on two levels, Southernhay East, Exeter
Development of Exeter’s Historic Quayside
Major Commercial, Mixed Use Development, Tourism & LeisureDevelopment of Exeter’s Historic Quayside. A mixed use regeneration of buildings and provision of water based activities due for completion 2012 – 2013.
Completion Date: 2013
