Proposals for co-living development in Exeter city centre

McLaren (Exeter) Limited are advancing exciting new proposals for a city centre co-living development; providing young professionals and key workers with much needed opportunities to live and work in the heart of the city.

McLaren’s proposal is to redevelop the brownfield, post-war buildings located on Summerland Street, EX1 2AT, between Verney Street and Red Lion Lane, and currently comprises the Yonk Asian foods and Sai Kung supermarket.

The central unit was previously used as a windscreen repair business which closed in the summer of 2022 and is now vacant.

The provision of approximately 164 self-contained co-living apartments in this city centre location would provide a range of economic benefits, including encouraging the retention of skilled graduates in Exeter; the generation of additional consistent footfall helping the retention of expenditure in the City; and positive inward investment to regenerate this tired site.

McLaren is presenting more detail on these exciting proposals and would welcome feedback from the community.

Local residents and businesses are invited to attend a drop-in session on-site at the former windscreen repair unit, Summerland Street, EX1 2AT, on Friday 3 March from 11am to 4pm.

The development will provide approximately 164 self-contained studios, each providing distinctive kitchen, living, and sleeping spaces, alongside a private shower room. The plans include for 20% affordable homes, targeted at local key workers.

A range of high-quality communal living spaces will encourage a highly sociable environment, with communal kitchens/lounge areas on each floor. Residents will also be able to enjoy a cinema room, a large kitchen, co-working space, a gym, and laundry facilities as well as outdoor amenity space on a communal roof terrace.

The city centre location of the development will place its residents within walking distance of all essential shops and amenities, increasing expenditure and footfall in the area, as well as enabling extensive access to all forms of public transport including Exeter Central station to the West and St James Park station to the North.

If you have any additional questions, residents are encouraged to get in touch by email at summerlandstreet@devcomms.co.uk or call our project office on 0800 080 3176.