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UK: Architects brown + company has won approval for a scheme of more than 800 units in Exeter.
The project, by developer Nixon Properties, will consist of 399 student units and 414 coliving studios in seven buildings up to six storeys high on the site of the former police station and magistrates’ court on Heavitree Road.
The site is owned by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and has been derelict since 2021. Previous plans for the site were refused by councillors due to fears they would harm the character of the area.
Rob Miller of brown + company, who designed the new plans, said: “This is tremendous news. We were acutely aware of the sensitivity of the site and the reasons for previous refusals, so we needed to create a masterplan which both respected the character of the surrounding area and fulfilled our development brief.
“So, in collaboration with landscape architects Oobe, we have designed a high-quality, inclusive and accessible community. Situated to the east of Exeter’s city centre, opposite the historic St Luke’s College campus, this major development has been carefully planned to combine thoughtful architecture with comprehensive master-planning,” he added.
The coliving units are studios aimed at young professionals with shared kitchen, lounge and workspace facilities. The site will be car-free with 448 bicycle spaces and 20 per cent of the units will be affordable.
The scheme delivers more than 10 per cent biodiversity net gain through native planting and the addition of more than 150 new trees. The landscaping strategy creates a variety of outdoor spaces for both public use and resident enjoyment.
The student courtyard is divided into two zones: one is an open, adaptable area for events, activities, and food trucks, while the other offers a quieter, more contemplative setting for relaxation and socialising.
Highlights:
• Architects brown + company has won approval for a scheme of more than 800 units in Exeter
• The project, by developer Nixon Properties, will consist of 399 student units and 414 coliving studios in seven buildings up to six storeys high on the site of the former police station and magistrates’ court on Heavitree Road
• The scheme delivers more than 10 per cent biodiversity net gain through native planting and the addition of more than 150 new trees
