Planning green light for ‘truly transformative’ development designed by Bath consultancy

January 28, 2025
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A scheme designed by Bath-based consultancy Nash Partnership aimed at creating a major new residential-led waterside neighbourhood in Exeter has received planning permission.

The 17-acre Water Lane development, described as “truly transformative” by Nash Partnership, includes nearly 1,000 new homes along with leisure and retail facilities, workplaces and public open space. 

The company behind the canal-side scheme, Water Lane Development Management Company, has said it will be a “low-car and low-carbon community” with up to 980 new homes, around 40,000 sq m of commercial space, 320 student accommodation units and more than 100 units for older persons’ housing.

Exeter City Council, which has granted it outline approval, has made the brownfield, site a top regeneration priority for a number of years, with the potential to bring wider strategic benefits to city as a whole.

Nash Partnership said as well as regenerating a run-down site less than 1km from the city centre, the scheme would also contribute significantly to meeting local housing needs and its community in a way that responds to the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.

Nash Partnership partner Robert Locke said: “After many years in the making, this approval marks a significant turning point in the long-term regeneration of Water Lane.

“The scheme’s design aims to express the underlying sustainability of the place while establishing a new and distinct part of the city.

“Our outline designs were influenced by input from the council and community to ensure a thriving neighbourhood where people can enjoy living, working and socializing. We can’t wait to see this project take its next steps.”

Water Lane Development Management Company project director Richard Clarke added: “We’ve reached a huge milestone in our journey towards regenerating this highly sustainable but very challenging site.

“There’s still much work to be done, but we’re keen to keep up the momentum by getting the site prepared and submitting infrastructure designs for consideration as soon as we can.

“We know the council and community share our ambition for this site so we’re over the moon with the faith the committee showed in us with the unanimous decision, allowing us to take the plans forward.”

 

 

 

 

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