New homes could replace Exeter garden centre

Approval expected next week

A long-established Exeter garden centre could be replaced with up to 350 new homes if councillors give their approval next week.

St Bridget Nursery at Old Rydon Lane is now closed to the public but remains in use as the company’s nursery and head office. It now sells its products through its remaining garden centre on Sidmouth Road at Clyst St Mary.

A planning application sets out how its horticultural and office buildings at Old Rydon Lane would be demolished, followed by a “phased construction” of housing.

Developer Waddeton Park plans 62 one-bedroom homes, 87 two-beds, 138 three-beds and 59 four-bed homes for the site, though this will be confirmed at a later date. Just over a third of the properties would be classed as ‘affordable’ – typically defined as up to 80 per cent of market rates.

A new main road through the development is proposed, closing off part of Old Rydon Lane for through-traffic by creating new access points into the site. This will create a low traffic ‘green lane’ along part of Old Rydon Lane.

The land, of around 35 acres, is in the Newcourt area of Exeter which is allocated for 3,500 dwellings and 16 hectares of employment land. A significant proportion of the area has now been built on.

The city council’s planning committee, when it meets on Monday [16 January], will be asked only to consider outline approval for the application and access. Specific details, such as the layout of the development and design of the properties, will be considered in a final stage ‘reserved matters’ application.

Dozens of objections have been raised, including various concerns about changes and impacts to the road network, the loss of “prime agricultural land,” the scale of the development, a loss of green land, and the impact on local infrastructure.

However, recommending approval, a planning officer report states: “The site falls within the Newcourt strategic allocation … proposed for around 3,500 dwellings (which this development will contribute towards), employment land and associated infrastructure.

“In effect, the principle of allowing housing on this site has already been established through the adoption of this policy.”

Approval would involve a number of conditions, including a legal requirement to provide 35 per cent affordable housing, provision for public open space and play, and financial contributions towards local education and healthcare.

The application is one of three on the agenda for next week’s meeting, with councillors also due to consider planned retirement apartments in place of former hotel Buckerell Lodge on Topsham Road, and new student accommodation on Howell Road.