Meeting today on Pinhoe development

Local developers Barratt homes are holding a resident’s consultation meeting today on plans to build 170 new homes on a site that was refused planning permission last year.

The developers hope to build the new homes in between Monkerton and Pinhoe and will take views from local residents on the plans in a meeting in Hall Church in Pinhoe between 1pm and 8pm today.

A spokesman for Barrat homes said: “We’ve listened to local residents and we’ve adjusted our old plans because we agree that public open space is very important.

“If Exeter City Council gives us permission, we will build new homes to meet local housing need, and we will retain and improve wildlife habitats and the public open space around Pin Brook, all of which will make this part of Exeter an even nicer place to live.”

Councillors however have been resistant to developers plans to build in the area.

Councillor for Pinhoe ward, Moira Mcdonald said: “Inundated by development, by 2026 Pinhoe's population will be more than double that of today.

“People do accept Exeter needs more homes, but worry about lack of infrastructure, extra traffic, more parking problems, less open space.

“Most of Pinhoe's ample green-field land used to be discounted for housing. But in 2009 a there was a city-wide Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment. Result? Vast parts of Pinhoe were re-designated as suitable for housingThe door was unlocked for developers.

“Where does Barratt Homes fit in all of this? Compared to some of the other developers their scale seems far less invasive of Pinhoe's green spaces.

“But I already know of residents who have objections. So I look forward to spending some time at Hall Church ...to hear other residents reactions.

“Along with Pinhoe's other Councillors,  I will be taking people's views forward with the hope of establishing sympathetic devlopments around the Pinhoe area that are in line with the City Council's current housing policies.”