Former nightclub could become student accommodation

180 studio apartments planned for Unit 1

Developers behind the latest plan for student flats in the centre of Exeter say building more of them will help local families find the homes they need.

Spinnaker Estates is eyeing the old Unit One nightclub on the corner of Verney Street and Summerland Street, with a plan to create around 180 high-quality studio apartments. Local people are being asked for their views

The proposal is the third to be highlighted for purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) in the city centre in recent days. The university’s intake is growing by around 750 students a year.

A plan to build an eight-storey PBSA block on the site of the old King Billy pub in Northbrook Street will be considered by the city council’s planning committee next week (September 8) while the council’s planning department has just received an application for a 10-storey PBSA development at nearby Clarendon House.

Spinnaker Estates says it is excited to be bringing forward its proposals, and a spokesman said: “A good supply of purpose-built student accommodation provides students with good quality, well managed housing and will help to ease pressure on existing housing stock and reduce the number of students living in houses of multiple occupation (HMO). 

“In 2022/23, there were 10,950 students living in private rented accommodation, primarily in HMOs, which could otherwise be used as family housing for local people.”

However, some councillors have argued that as the university grows, landlords will continue to let properties through the lucrative student market rather than releasing them onto the open market for non-students.

Spinnaker Estates says its plan will help ‘regenerate’ the area around the former nightclub and tyre-fitting centre. The nightclub closed in 2024.

The company’s statement continued: “The surrounding area has seen redevelopment in recent years, with this remaining site signifying some of the last post-war buildings yet to be redeveloped, providing an opportunity to further revitalise the street scene.”

It says it plans a ‘holistic redevelopment’ of apartments and amenities including a central courtyard and communal spaces including a gym, study, games room, lounge and laundry.

A drop-in session for the community examine the plans and make comments will be held at the St Sidwell Community Centre in Sidwell Street on September 10 from 2pm to 6pm.