NEWS

City council seeks comments on draft Householder’s Guide to extensions and alterations

Policy covers size and position, materials, boundary relationships, loft conversions, dormers, solar panels and roof terraces, among other residential development design considerations.

, updated

Martin Redfern

Exeter City Council is holding a public consultation on the draft version of an updated Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which provides detail on the design of extensions and alterations to residential property alongside policies in the existing local plan.

The city council’s current Householder’s Guide to Extension Design SPD was adopted in 2008.

Proposed changes include a new title and additional guidance on a range of details including design, size and position, materials, boundary relationships, access, parking and cycle storage.

There is new content relating to loft conversions and dormer extensions and additional guidance on solar panels, roof terraces and boundary extensions, among other things.

Policy on extensions and building lines on corner plot sites - illustrative diagram Policy on extensions and building lines on corner plot sites - illustrative diagram

Comments on the updated Householder’s Guide: Design of Extensions and Alterations SPD are invited via a dedicated website which allows respondents to agree or disagree with sections of the document and add comments below, with a separate section for general feedback.

It is also possible to upload PDF and image responses and download and complete a printable consultation response form.

The draft Householder’s Guide SPD consultation is taking place in parallel with a consultation on the full draft of the new Exeter Local Plan and another on an SPD for a large canalside development site centred on Water Lane.

Council officers are available to answer questions about all three local planning policy consultations at all the new Exeter Local Plan public exhibitions below.

New Exeter Local Plan public exhibitions

TimeDateVenueLocation
1-6.30pm25 OctoberHaven Banks Outdoor Education CentreHaven Road, St David's
1-7pm2 NovemberExeter Community CentreSt David's Hill
11am-2pm7 NovemberExeter LibraryCastle Street
1-7pm9 NovemberSt Thomas Cricket & Social ClubGrace Road, Marsh Barton
12.30-6pm13 NovemberMatthews HallFore Street, Topsham
1-7pm20 NovemberExeter GuildhallHigh Street
1-7pm27 NovemberEmmanuel Hall (Theatre Alibi)Emmanuel Road, St Thomas
11am-2pm28 NovemberExeter LibraryCastle Street
1-7pm5 DecemberAlphington Village HallIde Lane, Alphington
1-7pm7 DecemberPositive Light ProjectsSidwell Street
1-7pm12 DecemberNewcourt Community CentreBlakeslee Drive, Newcourt
4-7pm13 DecemberToby CarveryRydon Lane, Middlemoor
1-7pm11 JanuarySt Thomas Cricket & Social ClubGrace Road, Marsh Barton

The draft SPD consultation is open until 4 December.

Printed copies of all the council’s planning policy consultation documents can be viewed in the reception area at the Civic Centre and in libraries across the city.

Any queries can be directed to the council planning policy team at planning.policy@exeter.gov.uk or on 01392 265080.


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
Mid Devon District Council headquarters at Phoenix House in Tiverton

Mid Devon District Council mischarged 2,865 social housing tenants £15.5 million in rent over twenty years

Housing regulator identifies “serious failings” in application of rent standard as council discovers dozens of evictions in which “rent arrears were the sole, or contributory factor”.

Dartmoor wildfire on 5 May 2025, photo by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

Dartmoor National Park warns of continued high fire risk after wildfire destroys 1,230 acres of moorland

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service took nearly 24 hours to extinguish bank holiday weekend blaze that followed warning of uncontrolled moorland fire risk.

Former Firezza in Sidwell Street to become adult gaming centre

24 hour year-round Sidwell Street “adult gaming centre” allowed at appeal

Planning inspector finds no evidence that “increase in crime and disorder” or “serious detrimental impacts on the health of local residents” would result from change of use from restaurant and takeaway unit.

Haven Banks development illustrative aerial view

Twelve months temporary church use extension sought for Haven Banks Liveable Exeter development site units

Second year of “worship and ancillary uses” for retail park units to follow December 2023 planning approval for ultra-high density build-to-rent scheme for which neither planning permission nor consent notice yet published.

Exeter College in Hele Road

Petroc and Exeter College governors agree “merger in principle”

Further and higher education colleges with Barnstaple, Tiverton and several Exeter sites will now consider consequences of creating what would be largest college group in South West with public consultation due on plans before November decision.

Corner of Fore Street and West Street with St Mary Steps church in the background

Planning inspector upholds decision to refuse fifth additional storey in build-to-rent scheme above Crankhouse Coffee

Twelve year-old permission to add one full and one stepped-back storey to West Street elevation and remove all commercial space nevertheless remains extant.

On Our Radar
Tabatha Andrews sculpture

SATURDAY 26 APRIL TO SATURDAY 21 JUNE 2025

The Slightest Gesture

Sculptor and installation artist Tabatha Andrews presents a new immersive exhibition.

EXETER PHOENIX

Fore Street Flea

SUNDAY 18 MAY 2025

Fore Street Flea 2025

Market with stalls selling vintage items, handmade craft, food and drink plus live music from local artists returns for 2025 season.

FORE STREET

Pint of Science graphic

MONDAY 19 TO WEDNESDAY 21 MAY 2025

Pint of Science 2025

Three days of talks, demonstrations and live experiments by research scientists in city centre pubs.

EXETER CITY CENTRE

The New Exonians

FRIDAY 23 MAY 2025

The New Exonians

Inclusive Exeter documentary exploring the experiences of migrant communities in the city.

EXETER PHOENIX

Augustine Fogwoode in The Mushroom Show

MONDAY 26 MAY 2025

The Mushroom Show

Scratchworks Theatre Company combines interactive games, comedy and music to explore the fascinating world of fungi.

EMMANUEL HALL

Steve Tyler and Marco Cannavò

SATURDAY 31 MAY 2025

Love, Devotion and Harmonious Melodies

Steve Tyler and Marco Cannavò perform medieval music on historical instruments.

ST NICHOLAS PRIORY