Residents in the St James area overwhelmingly voted in favour of the St James Exeter Neighbourhood Plan in a recently held referendum.
Located between the University and the City Centre, approximately 52% of all residents in St James are believed to be students.
951 people voted “Yes” to the question: “Do you want Exeter City Council to use the neighbourhood plan for Exeter St James to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?” With only 64 people voting “No”, the overall approval rate of the Plan was 92%.
First discussed in May 2011, the Plan pledges to support the Council’s wishes to restrict the development of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). Such shared student housing is believed to cause an imbalance between student and local residents in the area.
Other plans will involve improving the aesthetic appeal of St James by implementing a street tree planting campaign, and by developing Queens Crescent into an urban park or play area. The document will also encourage the growth of small scale businesses around Well Street, King William Street and Longbrook Street. It will also consider the potential of a St James market to sell local produce.
The result was hailed as a success on the Exeter St James online Forum: “By bringing the residents’ associations, Students’ Guild and many individual residents together, it’s been a successful enjoyable community initiative… Now we can work together to achieve the vision for a balanced and vibrant neighbourhood.”
One student living on Victoria Street agrees with the move to place restrictions on HMO development: “It makes sense because there’s too many student houses going spare here anyway,” she said. “The house I’m living in now hasn’t managed to get occupants for next year. So if it helps the balance between locals and students, it’s a great thing.”
Jasmine Gardosi, News Team
Follow @ExeposeNews on Twitter and like us here on Facebook.
exeposedev 