NEWS

Plans to demolish St Thomas Library and build flats submitted

Martin Redfern

Exeter Estates Holdings has published plans to demolish St Thomas Libary and replace it with a block of thirteen flats.

The company, which is also developing a 60-acre predominantly greenfield site on the edge of Exeter, is controlled by Tony Rowe, CEO and chairman of Exeter Chiefs, who has a range of property development interests in and around the city.

It claims the library plans to relocate but Devon County Council and service provider Libraries Unlimited both say they intend to stay in the building.


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