Developing Exeter?

IKEA
Development sketch

Following yesterday's approval of outline planning permission for large IKEA and Morrison's developments in Exeter someone posed a question to me. It regards, not perhaps these specific developments but the over, and there are many, developments on the fringes of Exeter.

It has been said many times that developments such as the Science Park, Sky Park and Cranbrook are of great benefit to Exeter. Yet these sites, close as they are to Exeter, are actually under the jurisdiction of East Devon District Council (EDDC); consequently, Exeter City Council (ECC) will collect no council tax or business rate revenue from them.

Neither ECC nor EDDC have confirmed to me what new constant revenues are expected either directly or indirectly from these developments but surely there could be an entirely adverse effect on Exeter’s economy? 

I don't believe that this is the case. I believe that the benefits far outnumber and outweigh any disadvantages for Exeter. In order to know that you love something you need to know what you hate, I think this principle of need is important here.

Cranbrook
Development sketch

Firstly, to house the number of employees that will eventually be working at Science Park and Sky Park will require a huge amount of properties. The new town of Cranbrook will go some way to fulfilling this need but it will by no means be a complete solution. Therefore some of these workers will need to commute a little further, this would inevitably include from within Exeter City Council’s jurisdiction.  As a result ECC will not completely miss out on a revenue increase from the new workforce.

Similarly, a 500 home development is planned on the other side of Exeter, in the Exwick area. This too is outside the reach of ECC and is under control of Teingbridge District Council. In the same way that the workers at Science Park and Sky Park will need somewhere to live, residents of the new satellite communities will need somewhere to work and, indeed, spend. Exeter of course provides plenty of opportunities to indulge both of these needs.

Guildhall Shopping Centre
Development sketch

The new developments of IKEA and Morrison’s, alongside the redevelopment of Exeter’s Guildhall Shopping Centre and the continued vibrancy of the city’s high street help to demonstrate the unbreakable linkage between Exeter and its neighbouring communities. Cranbrook and Exwick would struggle to survive in their present forms if it weren’t for their proximity to Exeter. Meanwhile, Exeter would be unable to proceed with its impressive development programme if the opportunity for development nearby was unavailable.

It is foreseeable that, perhaps within my life, the boundaries of Exeter will become blurred or even redrawn as they have been in the not too distant past - Pinhoe is an example of this. However, I do not personally believe that Exeter is any worse off as a result of development on its borders, indeed for them not to happen might well be Exeter’s downfall.