Exeter’s Clarendon House may see a shift from student housing to residential flats
Exeter: The future of Clarendon House is buzzing again. This building, home to the Exeter Jobcentre Plus, is in the spotlight after a new proposal came in. The developer, Zinc Real Estate, had earlier plans to tear it down and build a tall student block. But now, they’re suggesting a different route.
Originally, they wanted to build a 16-storey student block with 350 beds. After hearing feedback, they scaled it back to 300 beds and reduced the height to 10 storeys. They promised to submit a full planning application to the council in early 2025.
Recently, Zinc Real Estate switched gears. They submitted a plan to convert the existing building into 32 residential homes instead of demolishing it. This new plan includes six studios, 15 one-bedroom units, and 11 two-bedroom units, all meeting national space standards.
Despite this change, the developers still prefer to create purpose-built student accommodation. They plan to submit that application in the next couple of months. A spokesperson mentioned that discussions with local authorities have led to a significant height reduction for the student accommodation plan.
Clarendon House has been around since 1969, mainly serving as office space. It’s located near the new leisure centre and the bus station. The building is currently partly vacant and is part of the draft Exeter Local Plan for redevelopment.
The new residential proposal also includes parking and bike spaces. A covering letter from the planning team assures that the plan meets key requirements, like good transport access and natural light for future residents.
Exciting times ahead for Exeter, as the future of Clarendon House unfolds!
