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Harlequins flats will go ahead

Tuesday, 5 January 2021 12:04

By Daniel Clark, local democracy reporter

Exeter Greens wanted government to stop it

Controversial plans to redevelop Exeter’s Harlequin Shopping Centre into co-living apartments will go ahead after the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government decided against 'calling-in' the application.

Four councillors in what they call the 'Progressive Group' - the Green, Lib Dem and independents, objected to a plan to replace the tired and under-utilised shopping complex with flats, a hotel and bar. Some local residents are worried about noise and disruption. Others think a modern tower block will detract from neighbouring older buildings, such as the Royal Albert Memorial Museum.

However, Exeter City Council approved developer's plans in October. Two blocks will be built with 251 'co-living' bedrooms, which means students can rent then, and 116 hotel bedrooms in a second block.

The plans will also see the creation of a 'pocket park', improvements to Paul Street and for pedestrians and cyclists, and the replacement of the pedestrian bridge over the street.

However, requests were then made to the government calling on secretary of state for housing Robert Jenrick to make the final decision because of the impact on the environment. Mr Jenrick has decided it was appropriate that the decision was made at local level.

In a statement, his department said: “The policy makes it clear that the power to call in a case will only be used very selectively. The government is committed to give more power to councils and communities to make their own decisions on planning issues, and believes planning decisions should be made at the local level wherever possible.”

Cllr Emma Morse, Exeter City Council’s Lead Councillor for Planning, said she was pleased that the Secretary of State had decided not to get involved. “We always believe that local decisions should be made by those who understand the local communities the most – local authorities via the democratic planning process.

“I’m glad that the government has deferred to the council and accepted our original decision for this application to go ahead."

When the scheme went before councillors, recommending approval, officers said that the balance test with regard to heritage assets has already been satisfied as there were no adverse impacts of the scheme that are considered to significantly and demonstrably outweigh the economic, social and environmental benefits of the scheme.

They said: “Planning officers have concluded that the benefits of the scheme, which are significant, outweigh this harm. These benefits include economic growth in the form of job creation and expenditure in the City Centre, delivery of housing to help with the Council’s lack of five year housing supply, significant public realm improvement works along Paul Street and on the corner of Paul Street and Queen Street, improved public access and setting of the city wall, with an ‘interpretation centre’, and a biodiversity net gain of 616 per cent.”

 

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