Exeter co-living proposal rejected

Labour and Tories agree working group not needed

Calls to develop Exeter's planning policy for future co-living schemes, like that replacing Harlequins Shoping Centre, have been turned down.

Four Progressive Group councillors had put forward a motion calling for a cross-party working group to inform planning guidance.

It follows controversy over the 251-bedspace accommodation co-living block on the site of the Harlequins shopping centre and a further 133-bedspace application at the former ambulance station site on Gladstone Road.

But Exeter’s Labour and Tory councillors voted down the motion, saying such a policy was not necessary because it would be included in the new Local Plan, and any policy outside of that would only have limited weight.

Putting her motion forward, Cllr Diana Moore said: “This is an uncontentious proposal over a contentious new form of development. To have a clear policy defining standards for co-living would be in the interests of local communities in Exeter and those who will live in them, as well as providing guidance for officers, councillors and, critically, developers. The national planning policy framework is silent on co-living, and other planning authorities in London and Manchester are bringing forward local policies. 

“It will provide guidance for developers and clarity for communities, and make it clear a difference between co living and student flats.”

Cllr Michael Mitchell added: “While we can exercise some control, this is an area where we should have a co-living policy. We have had applications and we may have more before the new local plan comes into force, but we can’t go forward on a case by case basis so owe it to people to set clear planning standards.”

But Cllr Emma Morse, portfolio holder for city development, said: “A formal co-living plan needs to come forward through the statutory local plan process where the public will be consulted at all stages. Local plan will gain increasing wait and it won’t be possible to adopt a co-living policy until the local plan is in place a supplementary planning document can only amplify existing policy.

“Preparation of co-living guidance is not supported as it will carry very limited weight as it won’t be examined by the planning inspectorate and will divert resources away from the much needed local plan.”

Conservative leader Cllr Andrew Leadbetter added that it was a reasonable response and his group trust them on this.

Councillors voted by 30 votes to four to reject the motion put forward by Cllr Moore, who after the meeting said: “This has been kicked into the long grass. This could mean our city being plastered with these overbearing developments which will have a negative impact on the local area and environment and fail to provide much needed decent affordable housing to rent.”