NEWS

Exeter College seeks to replace planned Flowerpot Fields sports pavilion with dedicated teaching facility

Revisions to consented scheme that includes fencing, floodlighting and replacement of publicly-accessible playing fields with artificial turf no longer reinstate demolished changing rooms or provide equipment storage or pitch viewing facilities.

Martin Redfern

Exeter College is seeking permission to replace its plans for a new sports pavilion at Flowerpot Fields with a dedicated teaching facility that no longer provides any changing rooms, equipment storage or pitch viewing facilities.

Exeter City Council granted planning permission to redevelop the changing rooms which previously occupied the site in February last year. They have since been demolished.

Its decision relied on outdoor recreation-related uses of the proposed new building which would comply with “local and national policies supporting a healthy lifestyle and protecting the environment and local amenity”.

Flowerpot Fields sports pavilion, original proposal elevations Flowerpot Fields sports pavilion, original proposal elevations. Image: Grainge.

A council officer’s report to the meeting of the planning committee that approved the plans emphasised the importance of the city’s valley parks, within one of which Flowerpot Fields is located.

It said: “The only forms of development appropriate within these areas concern outdoor recreation, agriculture or forestry”.

Confirming that “the proposed sports pavilion would replace an existing changing room facility on the site” it added that the redevelopment “would significantly contribute to the outdoor recreational and leisure uses available on the city’s western side”.

The report only used the word “classroom” once, to summarise a letter in support of the college planning application.

The proposed structure was described at the meeting as a “contemporary pavilion building” which would “offer replacement changing facilities, a classroom, a sports laboratory and a gym”.

Flowerpot Fields sports pavilion, consented scheme floor plans Flowerpot Fields sports pavilion, consented scheme floor plans. Image: Grainge.

In February this year, Exeter College applied to vary the planning consent to move the building’s plant to its roof to “protect it from flood events”.

Its agent said the changes would enable the “reconfiguration of the internal layout of the pavilion which will create changing room facilities in keeping with the elite level sports training being delivered through the Exeter Chiefs Academy and Exeter College”.

Partly because the original plans had generated considerable controversy, as they included the fencing, floodlighting and replacement of publicly-accessible playing fields with artificial turf, the variation also prompted several public objections.

Flowerpot Fields sports pavilion, August 2024 revision proposal floor plans Flowerpot Fields sports pavilion, August 2024 revision proposal floor plans. Image: Grainge.

Then, in August, the college changed its proposals again, halving the height of the building to a single storey and removing all the changing rooms, equipment storage and pitch viewing facilities that had made it a sports pavilion in the first place.

Its agent did not say anything about how the flood risks that had prompted it to move the plant to the roof in February would now be mitigated.

It also failed to mention the removal of all the outdoor recreation-related facilities that had provided the basis for the council’s planning consent the previous year, or that the new building would now only provide a dedicated teaching facility.

When the council sought public comments on its plans to extend the college leases at Flowerpot Fields, shortly after the college submitted its revised plans, it described the new building, apparently without irony, as a “changing pavilion”.

At the same time the college started work on site prematurely, still saying the new facility would include changing rooms which would be available for community use.

After a public outcry it subsequently agreed to cease construction and do no more pending the outcome of the public consultation, which has yet to be announced.

Flowerpot Fields sports pavilion, August 2024 revision proposal elevations Flowerpot Fields sports pavilion, August 2024 revision proposal elevations. Image: Grainge.

We asked Exeter City Council to explain how the latest revisions to the college Flowerpot Fields redevelopment scheme can be considered compliant with the planning consent it granted last year.

It said it could not comment on the application as it is out for public consultation and has yet to be determined.

We also asked Exeter College the same question, as well as why it has removed all outdoor recreation-related facilities from the plans and on what basis the building could now be described as a “sports pavilion”.

It failed to provide any answers by the time we went to press.


Comments on the latest revisions to the Exeter College Flowerpot Fields redevelopment scheme can be left via the city council website until Sunday 13 October.


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
Alison Hernandez and James Vaughan

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez launches Devon & Cornwall Police “accountability board”

Monthly board meets in private with press and public excluded without publishing advance agendas or minutes to ensure force is delivering an “effective and efficient police service”.

Eutopia Homes Exmouth Junction build to rent development rear elevation

First Exeter build to rent flats marketed at £1,375-£2,350 per month with “affordable” units costing £1,080-£1,800 plus bills

Eutopia Homes rents in Exmouth Junction block would leave many workers with substantially lower income than Joseph Rowntree Foundation minimum for a socially-acceptable standard of living.

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”.

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