The developers of a controversial ultra-high density build-to-rent scheme at Haven Banks are seeking permission to extend an evangelical church’s temporary occupancy of two former retail units on the site by twelve months.
The Liveable Exeter scheme was approved by Exeter City Council’s planning committee in December 2023.
Coplan Estates and Welbeck CP are expected to construct more than 400 rental units in four blocks of up to six storeys with commercial units at ground floor on the site of Haven Banks retail park.
However the council has yet to publish a notice of either planning permission or consent for the development.
Haven Banks development illustrative aerial view. Image: Piper Whitlock.
The retail park is currently occupied by Tenpin Exeter and Rediscover Church, an evangelical Elim Pentacostal Church with five sites in Devon which is based at Providence Chapel in Northernhay Street.
Planning permission was granted in January 2024 for twelve months’ temporary use for “worship and ancillary uses” of the retail park units previously occupied by branches of The Range and Matalan.
The application for change of use was submitted in September 2023, two months before the plans to redevelop the site were approved.
According to documents accompanying the application to extend this use for another twelve months the church has been searching for a larger, permanent space in Exeter for around eight years.
Rediscover Church temporary floor layout at Haven Banks.
Image: Welbeck CP (Haven Road) Ltd.
The church has converted the former retail units, which provide over 6,000 square metres of floorspace, into a venue that can hold up to 900 people.
It includes a 650-seat auditorium, a children’s activity area, a market place, crèche and food store and several seating areas.
Comments on the application to extend the change of use can be submitted via the Exeter City Council website until Sunday 18 May.
The application will be considered by council planning officers at a later date.
