The future of shipbuilding in Exeter and maritime activities on the city’s canal could be ‘at stake’ as plans for a significant new housing development approach their critical next phase, objectors say. The city council’s planning committee is set to meet on Monday evening to determine the next step for a project at Water Lane near the Quay.
The area has plans for up to 1,000 new homes, ranging from student accommodation to high-end apartments with views over the water. However, the plans have drawn dozens of objections, and the detailed report to the planning committee spans nearly 120 pages.
The Water Lane Development Management Company, a part of Cilldara Group (Exeter) Ltd, will present its plans to demolish existing buildings, which recently included a meat rendering plant. The company aims to replace them with new homes and workspaces; shops; a cafe and restaurant; community buildings and possibly a hotel.
The development will feature a new bridge across the canal and the removal of the decaying hulk of former Brixham trawler Marie Claire, which has been alongside the canal bank for over a decade. The total cost of the build will exceed £400 million, and developers face a bill of £30 million just to prepare the site for development.
The land has been designated for housing in the Exeter local plan for 20 years. However, Historic England has expressed concerns about the proposed height of the buildings while local NHS providers warn that they are already over capacity, reports Devon Live.
The Exeter Port Authority has highlighted the importance of Gabriel’s Wharf within the developmental plans, stressing that it needs to be reserved for the launching and hoisting of hefty vessels. The authority clarified in a statement: “Commercial maritime use on the canal has not stopped. It is merely going through a quiet phase.
“The canal is becoming increasingly popular with leisure users and attracting more vessel movements. There is a growing interest in heritage restoration projects and the building of wooden boats.
Moreover, they emphasised: “Keeping access to the water and holding on to the space close to it is vital.”
On the other hand, the Friends of Exeter Ship Canal have voiced concerns that the proposed development could convert the current shipyard into a public square, which would spell the end for the locale’s nautical and shipbuilding traditions and diminish prospects for future maritime economic ventures.
The Inland Waterways Association has also weighed in, positing that preserving the wharf for maritime pursuits could introduce fresh expertise and employment opportunities into Exeter.
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