Green Party Councillors in St David’s ward have accused Exeter Labour of “redefining net zero” after it has been revealed that the City Council’s flagship Liveable Exeter Water Lane development will have no affordable or social housing at all.
Reacting to the news, Green group leader on Exeter City Council, Diana Moore, said:
“This is meant to be Labour’s flagship development as part of its Liveable Exeter branding, but it is clear it will only be liveable for those who can afford the high costs of purchasing a property. With zero affordable or social homes to rent planned within the scheme, Exeter Labour are certainly redefining the idea of net zero.
“I am calling for the Planning Committee to ensure there is a commitment to affordable and social housing at this initial outline stage and not let the developer get away without providing any affordable or social homes to rent. It’s also another case of Labour failure to address our housing crisis in the city.
“Local residents want to see the Water Lane site redeveloped. But this needs to be a mixed development which provides homes for all, not just for those with the deepest pockets.”
St David’s Green Councillor Tess Read said:
“We welcome the commitment to active travel, but the development will still create many trips – first of construction traffic then from the new residents.
The developer and councils have failed to consider the impact this will have on the wider Haven Banks road network. We have to remember that the major access point for this development is the traffic light junction at Riverside. Without a serious plan for traffic management across the area all the local roads will become clogged up too.”
“The development is in a high flood risk area. So we are also calling on the planning committee to be absolutely clear about the flood infrastructure and safe routes for residents to use to leave the area in case of flooding.
At the moment the proposals are as clear as mud and this is too important to leave unresolved.”
CONTACTS:
Diana Moore 07903932214
Tess Read 07931 765179