Eutopia Homes has secured planning permission for a new £130m sustainable urban village on a 15-acre brownfield site previously owned by Network Rail
The plans for the urban village were approved by Exeter City Council.
Eutopia Homes’ £130m development will create a new intergenerational community right in the centre of Exeter.
The urban village scheme will include 400 new homes for rent and sale, including 105 for affordable and discount market rent, delivered alongside 65 extra-care beds.
The project has been designed by Darling Associates with environmental sustainability at the forefront, setting new benchmarks for sustainable development locally and prioritising cycle and pedestrian mobility above car use.
To help tackle car dependency and reduce CO2 emissions, only 0.4 car parking spaces will be provided per unit, with an on-site car club that will be operated through an app-based system.
There will also be a new cycle path and over 1,000 bike spaces provided on-site as well as electric car and bike hire schemes to encourage more sustainable methods of travel.
Future residents will benefit from new outdoor spaces such as public gardens, squares, footpaths, a woodland walk and fitness trail. In total, green spaces make up 65% of the 15-acre site.
The approved urban village plans also ensure the conservation and continued use of a locally listed former water tower, which will act as a local landmark.
Of the 400 new homes approved:
- 230 will be designed and built exclusively for rent (including 57 discounted market rent homes) with on-site amenities such as co-working space, gym and residents’ dining room
- 122 will be for open market-sale (including 89 townhouses)
- 48 will be for affordable housing (social rent and shared ownership).
The additional 65 extra-care facilities provided will also help free up existing homes for first-time buyers and young families while helping relieve pressure on local NHS services.
Urban village provides housing
Scott Hammond, founder and CEO at Eutopia Homes, said: “Our plans will see the creation of a new urban village right in the heart of Exeter and will support the city’s long-term growth by providing much-needed housing across a range of tenures and price-points.
“The whole design of the scheme was led by a commitment to sustainability and green place-making, turning a long-dormant brownfield site into a thriving mixed community that serves people of all ages and incomes. The positive comments made by the planning committee, who praised the design ethos of a lower car dependency scheme, will help set new benchmarks for future development in Exeter.”
Cristian Postans, director at Chenavari Investment Managers, added: “We are delighted to be supporting Eutopia Homes on the Exeter deal.
“The UK multifamily sector is a key area of focus for Chenavari and, together with best-in-class investment partners like Eutopia Homes, we continue to back deals with strong underlying fundamentals in core locations with favourable supply and demand dynamics such as Exeter.”
Work is expected to start on the urban village later this year.
