10-storey Exeter student accomodation block planned

Developer wants to demolish old JobCentre

Another huge block of flats for Exeter University students is being proposed in the city centre.

Hot on the heels of a proposal to build an eight-storey block of student flats on the site of the former King Billy pub in Northbrook Street, which will be debated by the city council planning committee next week (September 8), a fresh plan has been lodged for an even bigger block nearby.

Manchester-based Zinc Real Estate wants to knock down the existing five-storey Clarendon House, which is partly used by the city’s JobCentre, and replace it with a block 10 storeys high.

The building in the ‘East Gate’ area on the junction of Heavitree Road and Western Way has had a long planning history.

Zinc Real Estate initially shared proposed plans in December 2023 to demolish Clarendon House and build a 16-storey student block offering 350 beds.

Following feedback, a revised scheme cut the number of student rooms to 300, and reduced the highest part of the building to 10 storeys. At the time, it was confirmed that following the latest consultation, a full planning application would be submitted to Exeter City Council in early 2025.

The application has just been lodged, and in it the developers say: “The area is seeing significant regeneration, with the new leisure centre and bus station acting as catalysts, and the site is deemed ideal for purpose-built student accommodation.

“The existing building is no longer fit for purpose.The site will provide high-quality accommodation that meets the needs of future residents.”

Zinc has delivered similar schemes in London and the Netherlands

The proposed building would include community and commercial units at ground floor level. It would have parking for 178 bicycles, with accommodation including small ‘cluster bedrooms’ and larger studios with communal facilities.

Zinc Real Estate is said to have looked at all options for the site, one of which was to convert it for residential use, but it favoured the purpose-built student accommodation route.

The building has been used for offices since it was granted planning permission in March 1964.

Exeter Job Centre has occupied the building since 1969. It has been earmarked for redevelopment within the draft Exeter Local Plan.

No public comments have yet been posted on the city council’s planning website pages.