Housing proposal approved at site of city's former police station and court

MORE than 800 student flats and 'co-living' studios are to be built on the site of Exeter's old police station despite neighbours' fears that their homes will be overshadowed.

- by GUY HENDERSON

Exeter City Council's planning committee gave the go-ahead for the project on Monday evening after hearing how the developer had worked to decrease its size after a previous scheme was thrown out.

Councillor Gemma Rolstone told the meeting: “Anything will be better than what's there at the moment.”

The derelict buildings, which also include the city’s former magistrates’ court, have been empty since 2020 and are currently fenced off.

Councillors heard how there had been problems with antisocial behaviour as well as two recent fires which were started deliberately. The site is owned by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

The original proposal for larger blocks on the site was refused in 2023 and an appeal from York-based developer NCO (Seven) Ltd was dismissed by a government inspector a year later. The inspector decided the harm to the area's character and appearance would be severe.