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Greater Exeter Strategic Plan

Stoke Hill – Central Growth Area

Site Reference: SA-EX-4

Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) sites included: d913byh, z714yxa, qp15ywr, p613cg7, 8g13b3q

Parish(es): Not applicable

District(s): Exeter City Council

Site size: 58 hectares

Number of homes considered in Sustainability Appraisal Report: 736 – 948 homes

Indicative number of homes factoring in sensitivities and requirements (see below): 768 homes

Potential for employment use: No

Relationship with existing allocations and other potential GESP sites: Allocated as Valley Park and/or landscape setting in the Exeter Core Strategy and Exeter Local Plan First Review.

Planning status: None

Summary description of the site: Located to the north of Exeter’s built-up area. Comprises agricultural fields bound by hedgerows and belts of mature trees, interspersed with areas of rough vegetation and woodland. Topography is complex and steep in places. Crossed by Mile Lane bridleway.

Opportunities

This site is identified for consideration in the GESP because:

  • A large proportion of the site has been put forward by landowners for development
  • Homes would be 3km from the City centre, with potential for improved walking and cycling routes and bus services
  • It could include new opportunities for publicly accessible green infrastructure

Sensitivities

The site has a number of sensitivities which development would need to take into account, including:

  • It may impact upon the Exe Estuary, which is a Natura 2000 protected wildlife site sensitive to an increase in the number of visitors
  • It contains a County Wildlife Site and may also contain Great Crested Newts/Cirl Buntings and other
  • protected species
  • It includes part of Savoy Hill Valley Park and is of high landscape value, with a number of steep slopes that are unsuited to residential development
  • Parts are affected by flooding
  • It is close to a landfill site and therefore may be contaminated
  • It is close to existing homes in Beacon Heath
  • Road access is constrained

Requirements

Planning requirements for the site will aim to create a great place to live and work, providing well designed new neighbourhoods with appropriate and well managed public open space and safe walking/cycling routes. All sites will need to provide a mix of homes (including affordable and custom build), investment

in low carbon energy and transport, high speed internet and wildlife enhancements. More detail on these can be found in the policies within Section B of this document. Other emerging requirements include:

  • Funding of measures to reduce the impact on the Exe Estuary, including provision/contribution towardsSuitable Alternative Natural Greenspace(SANG)
  • The need to safeguard protected species and their supporting habitats
  • No development within Savoy Hill Valley Park
  • Measures to address the risk of flooding, including ensuring that surface water run-off does not cause issues downstream
  • Improved foot, cycle and bus routes into the City, including an extension of the Chancellors Way bus loop.
  • Decontamination to ensure a healthy living environment for residents
  • Development will need to respect the privacy of existing dwellings
  • Financial contributions towards the expansion of primary and secondary schools, medical facilities and utilities provision in Exeter

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