The Exeter City Council Planning Committee met on 8 September 2025 to consider a planning application for student accommodation, a report on delegated decisions and a report on recent appeal decisions. Public speaking was permitted on planning applications. The next meeting was scheduled for 6 October 2025.

Planning Application: Former Site Of 26-28 Longbrook Street

The committee was scheduled to consider planning application number 25/0318/FUL for the former site of 26-28 Longbrook Street for the construction of an eight-level purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) building. The proposed development included 108 self-contained studios, ancillary spaces, and a ground floor commercial unit.

The Strategic Director for Place made a recommendation to delegate authority to grant permission, subject to the completion of a Section 106 agreement¹ and a set of planning conditions. A secondary recommendation was to refuse permission if the Section 106 agreement was not completed.

The report pack noted that the site has a planning history of acceptability for a similar building. The proposal had been through pre-application and design review stages, with the applicant working with the council to refine the design.

Key issues outlined in the report pack included:

• The principle of development, with the city centre identified as a preferred location for PBSA in the Core Strategy policy CP5.
• Purpose Built Student Accommodation, with a continued demand for PBSA within the city.
• Design, with the overall height of the building the same as previously approved, but with increased massing due to fire safety requirements.
• Heritage Considerations, with the site being close to conservation areas and a medieval wall at the rear.
• Occupant Amenity, with acceptable room and amenity spaces.
• Neighbour Amenity, with no significant loss of light or privacy to neighbouring properties.
• Highways, with the site being in the city centre and suitable for car-free development.
• Biodiversity, with a 10% biodiversity net gain secured through off-site habitat credits.
• Contamination, with an identified contamination risk within the site and acceptable remediation measures proposed.
• Air Quality, with the site being adjacent to an Air Quality Management Area².
• Drainage, with surface water proposed to be dealt with through a connection to a combined sewer.
• Sustainability, with the development designed for future connection to a District Heating Scheme.
• Section 106 Obligations, including contributions to Devon County Council Highways, NHS Integrated Care Board, and a local energy network.

The report pack stated that nine objections had been received, raising concerns about the suitability of the development for the area, the impact on local communities, and the lack of infrastructure.

Delegated Decisions and Planning Report

The committee was scheduled to review a report listing planning applications determined and applications withdrawn between 16 July 2025 and 28 August 2025. The applications were listed by ward, including Alphington, Duryard and St James, Heavitree, Mincinglake and Whipton, Newtown and St Leonards, Pennsylvania, Pinhoe, Priory, St Davids, St Loyes and Topsham. Members were asked to note the report and advise the Head of City Development, Roger Clotworthy, or the Strategic Director for Place, Ian Collinson, of any questions prior to the meeting.

Appeals Report

The committee was scheduled to consider a report providing information on the latest appeal decisions received and new appeals since the last report on 25 July 2025.

The report pack included summaries of three appeal decisions:

• 65 Parkway, Alphington - Appeal Allowed with Conditions
• Coppins, The Poplars, Pinhoe - Appeal Dismissed
• 24 Carlton Road, St Loyes - Appeal Allowed with Conditions

The Strategic Director for Place, Ian Collinson, asked that members note the report.