NEWS

City council approves plans for controversial greenfield site housing

Key details remain unresolved including future ownership and management of green space and public access restrictions during construction period.

Leigh Curtis

Exeter City Council has approved detailed plans for 93 new dwellings on a controversial greenfield site in the city’s northern hills.

The application by developer Edenstone Homes for approval of reserved matters of layout, scale, appearance and landscaping followed an application for outline planning consent that was granted at appeal in August 2022.

The development will provide a range of flats, maisonettes and houses, 32 of which will be designated “affordable”.

It will be constructed on ten acres of greenfield land alongside Celia Crescent, above Beacon Lane. Another 22 acres of adjacent land in three fields will be allocated as publicly-accessible green space, described as a “new valley park”.

Two motor vehicle access routes will be provided. One will connect with an existing spur off Celia Crescent, the other will be driven over Juniper Green, a council-owned public green space beside Spruce Close.

The development will provide nearly 180 off-street parking spaces of which just under 40 will take the form of private garages.

Spruce Close Celia Crescent site masterplan Development site masterplan. Image: Edenstone Homes.

Councillors raised several concerns about the development proposals at Monday evening’s planning committee meeting, not all of which were clarified by council officers as key details of the agreement between the council and the developer are currently unresolved.

Whether the developer or the council will end up as owners of or be responsible for the management of the publicly-accessible green space is not yet decided. However a document accompanying the proposals appears to confirm that new public rights in relation to this land will not be created.

It is also not clear for how long local residents will lose access to the green space, which has been in use for many years despite there being no public rights of way, during the construction period. A representative from development project consultant Black Box Planning was twice asked to provide details at the meeting but did not do so.

The potential impact of the development on already significant levels of surface water run-off nearby was also raised. Many local residents already employ sandbags to protect their homes, and The Beacon Community Centre was seriously flooded in September.

Officers said drainage was being dealt with separately, but that it was expected to lead to an overall improvement in the area.

Councillors also queried the provision of Devon banks either side of the entrance to the development on Juniper Green. These will be constructed by the council on its own land, but paid for by the developer.

Devon banks design for Juniper Green development site entrance Devon banks design for Juniper Green development site entrance. Image: Edenstone Homes.

Many issues that had been raised by members of the public in relation to the scheme, including the impact of the motor vehicle traffic it will generate and developer contributions to local schools and health services, were not addressed at the meeting because they had already been decided at the outline planning application stage.

Council officers originally recommended approval of the scheme in the face of 465 objections submitted by local residents (with not a single public comment in support) but council planning committee members voted unanimously to refuse it in October 2021.

In April 2022, council leader Phil Bialyk said: “I am totally committed to saving the hills around Exeter. They are so important to us. It is an important amenity space. We have to protect it for the residents of Exeter.”

A planning inquiry followed in July. Exeter Greenspace Group raised over £5,000 to enable community participation in the appeal, seeking expert advice and preparing evidence to support the planning committee decision.

However the developer’s appeal was allowed in August, mainly because the council was unable to demonstrate that enough housing would be delivered in Exeter during the following five years to match government targets based on what turned out to be faulty population growth projections.


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
Northbrook Swimming Pool campaign demonstration Exeter Guildhall 13 May 2025

Campaigners compel Exeter City Council to reconsider Northbrook pool closure with 2,250-strong resident petition

Pressure on council intensifies after freedom of information request responses confirm £3.5 million budget cuts included potentially unlawful decision to close swimming pool without public consultation or impact assessment.

Wild camping on Dartmoor

Supreme Court rejects Dartmoor landowners’ attempt to prevent wild camping on their land

Judges unanimously dismiss appeal by Alexander and Diana Darwall against 2023 ruling upholding Dartmoor Commons Act as campaigners call for enhanced public rights to access nature pledged by Labour when still in opposition.

Child on park bench

Ofsted finds Devon County Council children’s services remain “inadequate” with rating unchanged since 2020

Inspection report highlights “serious weaknesses” that are “leaving children at risk of harm” as failings echo poor Special Educational Needs & Disabilities provision.

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.

On Our Radar
Exeter Respect Festival

SATURDAY 7 & SUNDAY 8 JUNE 2025

Exeter Respect Festival 2025

The annual celebration of Exeter diversity returns for its 28th anniversary with live music and performance, food stalls, community and campaign groups.

BELMONT PARK

Exeter City Of Literature literary map

SUNDAY 8 JUNE 2025

The Book Market 2025

Exeter City of Literature event features independent booksellers from across the county with author talks, stalls, food and drink.

CATHEDRAL GREEN

Exeter Custom House

SUNDAY 8 JUNE 2025

Heritage Harbour Festival 2025

The maritime-themed event returns for a third year with steam boats, exhibitions, talks, live music, film screenings and more.

EXETER QUAY

Art Week Exeter 2025 graphic

MONDAY 9 TO SUNDAY 15 JUNE 2025

Art Week Exeter 2025

Festival returns with exhibitions, film screenings, talks, workshops, performances, social events and an art car boot sale.

EXETER CITY CENTRE

Pipe organ keyboard in St Mary's Church, Throwleigh by Andrew Abbott

SATURDAY 14 JUNE 2025

Lost and Found (Keyboards Revoiced)

Exeter Contemporary Sounds and Ian Summers perform works on rescued, repurposed and reimagined instruments.

EXETER LIBRARY

Exeter Philharmonic Choir in Exeter Cathedral

SATURDAY 14 JUNE 2025

A Feast of English Choral Music

Exeter Philharmonic Choir performs works by English composers.

EXETER CATHEDRAL