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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.

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