Exeter's shipping future 'at stake' in waterside building project

'Commercial use has not stopped - it is merely going through a quiet phase'

The future of shipbuilding in Exeter and maritime activities on the city’s canal are at stake as plans for a massive new housing development reach their crucial next stage.

The city council’s planning committee will meet next Monday evening to decide on the next step for a project at Water Lane near the Quay.

Up to 1,000 new homes are planned for the area, ranging from student accommodation to up-market apartments overlooking the water.

But the plans have attracted dozens of objections, and the detailed report to the planning committee runs to nearly 120 pages.

The Water Lane Development Management Company, part of Cilldara Group (Exeter) Ltd, will outline its plans to demolish existing buildings, which in recent years included a meat rendering plant.

The company wants to replace them with new homes and workspaces; shops; a cafe and restaurant; community buildings and possibly a hotel.

The development will include a new bridge across the canal and removing the rotting hulk of former Brixham trawler Marie Claire, which has lain alongside the canal bank for more than a decade.

The total cost of the build will be more than £400 million, and developers face a bill of £30 million just to make the site ready for development.

The land has been earmarked for housing in the Exeter local plan for 20 years.

However, Historic England has concerns over the proposed height of the buildings while local NHS providers warn that they are already over capacity.

The Exeter Port Authority says Gabriel’s Wharf, which is included in the plans, must be kept for the launching and recovery of large craft by crane. Its statement says: “Commercial maritime use on the canal has not stopped. It is merely going through a quiet phase.

“The canal is becoming increasingly popular with leisure users and attracting more vessel movements. There is a growing interest in heritage restoration projects and the building of wooden boats.

“Keeping access to the water and holding on to the space close to it is vital.”

The Friends of Exeter Ship Canal believe the development would transform the existing shipyard into a public square and end the area's maritime and boat-building capabilities as well as closing off the potential for future maritime-related economic activities.

The Inland Waterways Association says keeping the wharf area for maritime activities would bring new skills and jobs to Exeter.