NEWS

Revised proposals for Summerland Street “co-living” block submitted

Developer of 147-bedspace six storey scheme on city council land claims it will contribute to local housing need, ensure ‘mixed and balanced communities’ and enhance the local conservation area.

Martin Redfern

Revisions to an application for full planning permission for a “co-living” block on Summerland Street have been submitted to the city council for approval.

When the city council restructured the leases on the site to enable its demolition and development for co-living in a private meeting in May last year it said it expected a 186-bedspace block, which would have been eight or nine storeys tall.

The proposals that subsequently came forward in March were for a 167-bedspace seven storey block, which has now been reduced to 147 bedspaces over six storeys.

The council owns the site, between Verney Street and Red Lion Lane. It is part of the “East Gate” development zone allocated in the new Exeter Local Plan, which also includes much of Sidwell Street, Paris Street and the foot of Heavitree Road.

It faces the north eastern corner of the 734-bed Cheeke Street student accommodation block known as The Depot.

It is occupied by several businesses including Yonk Asian Foods, Sai Kung Cafe and the Boneyard retro games arcade. A windscreen repair centre previously also operated there.

Summerland Street co-living block redevelopment site Summerland Street co-living block redevelopment site

Developer Mclaren Property is responsible for 26 student accommodation blocks across the UK.

It says its Summerland Street co-living scheme would contribute to “local housing need and the objective of ensuring mixed and balanced communities” and would enhance the St Sidwell’s conservation area.

The proposals provide 4.3 square metres of amenity space for each co-living bedspace, including a rooftop terrace that shares the floor with seventeen bedrooms.

The building would be two storeys taller than adjacent residential Wheaton House on Red Lion Lane.

Comments on the Summerland Street development proposals can be submitted via the city council website where the application can be viewed in full.


Democracy doesn't work when people don't know who is deciding what on whose behalf and what the costs and consequences of those decisions will be.

Exeter Observer is proving that reader-funded media can deliver the independent public interest journalism our local democracy needs.

Upgrade to a paid Exeter Observer subscription to support our work and get access to exclusive premium content and more.

More stories
Clarendon House, Exeter

Clarendon House developer submits plan to convert office block to 32 residential flats alongside 310-bed PBSA proposals

Application for change of use of existing building to be followed by application for demolition and replacement with much taller student accommodation complex following two rounds of informal public consultation on scheme.

Bar chart of Devon County Council cumulative SEND deficit 2019-20 to 2031-32 at March 2024 with 2024-25 £14.7 million month eight excess overspend added

Devon County Council “safety valve” deal target breach rises by 40% to £20.4m as SEND overspend reaches £51.6m

Cumulative SEND deficit now expected to peak at £227m while deal targets set to be missed every year to 2032, risking County Hall bankruptcy if government withdraws support.

Devon County Council 2025-26 budget press release image

Devon County Council 2025-26 budget to bring more service delivery cuts

£22 million cuts concealed by £60 million costs increases as council misrepresents financial position and fails to answer questions about where cuts will fall.

Mark Kingscote and Alison Hernandez

Deputy police and crime commissioner Mark Kingscote resigns five months after defiant appointment by Alison Hernandez

Resignation follows appointment of third Devon & Cornwall Police chief constable in eighteen months after suspensions of Jim Colwell in November and Will Kerr in July 2023.

Royal Clarence Hotel in September 2024

Paternoster House developer takes on Royal Clarence Hotel rebuild after sale agreement reached with previous owners

Completion of restoration plans for five floors of luxury flats above ground floor and basement commercial units scheduled for April 2027, more than decade after historic Cathedral Yard building burnt down.

Interim Devon & Cornwall Police Chief Constable James Vaughan

James Vaughan appointed as interim Devon & Cornwall Police Chief Constable

Appointment follows suspension of acting Chief Constable Jim Colwell, recruited following suspension of Chief Constable Will Kerr, as force pays salaries of all three.

On Our Radar
Digital Media Literacy seminars graphic

MONDAY 27 JANUARY TO MONDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2025

Let’s Talk About: Digital Media Literacy

A series of free seminars aimed at tackling misinformation and information overload in the digital world.

EXETER LIBRARY

Woodcut illustrating an execution by burning at the stake

SATURDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2025

Exeter History Book Festival

One-day event with talks from four Devon historians and stalls from local heritage organisations.

MINT METHODIST CHURCH CENTRE

Iryna Ilnytska in Exeter Cathedral

SATURDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2025

Aspects of Love

A lunchtime concert with mezzo-soprano Iryna Ilnytska to raise funds for Ukraine.

EXETER CATHEDRAL