We sat down with Exeter’s Council leader, Phil Bialyk, for a webinar to hear his perspectives on what makes a prosperous local economy. We explored why Exeter needs more investment, the challenges and solutions to future development and his future aspirations for the city.

Why Exeter? 

Exeter has a lot going for it. A thriving economy, vibrant student population, world-class educational institutions, rich history and culture, young and dynamic population (36 years on average), and one of the healthiest places to live in the UK.  

Commenting on the political landscape, Phil said: “We are the grown-ups in the political field in Exeter and one thing I do offer you is political stability”. This is compounded by Exeter’s collaborative approach to working with its neighbours and forging effective relationships with surrounding districts such as East Devon District Council – particularly useful, with developments coming forward just outside of the Exeter boundary.  

With the new Exeter Plan going to examination next year and the Corporate Plan currently under review, Exeter recognises the crucial role it plays in identifying challenges, addressing them and working to improve the lives and wellbeing of people who live in, visit and work there.

One of the most pressing challenges is delivering more homes, infrastructure, retail and industry to support the city’s vastly growing population whilst keeping young people in local employment. 

It’s not, admitted Phil, “as simple as building what you want, when you want and where you want”. Developers, landowners and the planning system itself are facing countless challenges to get applications over the line – specifically when involving student accommodation, co-living, homelessness, public transport networks and investment from central government.

Phil was defiant in finding solutions to these challenges, exploring pragmatic ways we can leverage opportunity.

Supporting Exeter’s growing student population 

As one of Exeter’s largest employers, bringing in over £150 million every year, the University of Exeter is an integral stakeholder in the city. The same is true for Exeter College, which brings in over 7,500 students per year.

Despite the rich culture that students bring to communities and the added footfall for local businesses, their value, Bialyk says, is often overlooked.

However, in order to support the growth of the city’s educational institutions, Cllr Bialyk said, we must build more homes for them to live. Delivering high-quality student accommodation allows us to free up more HMOs for family homes.  

However, with strong opposition to student accommodation, overcoming this hurdle was discussed at length.  

“People don’t always like change, particularly if it’s on their doorstep”, Bialyk said. “It’s similar with co-living, or ‘urban living’ as I rather call it – people are leaving university and need a place to live. Why are people so against it?

“Not everyone wants to live in semi-detached house in sub a suburban area. Some people want to live in high-quality homes in urban, vibrant inner-city areas. Policies are coming forward for co-living.” 

We need leaders to tell communities this is the direction to go in, and it all boils down to effective communication. Developers and landowners need to engage closely with young people – those who are likely to live there but are often overlooked – to generate support for this type of development. Phil echoed this: “We need to work with students and universities to engage students as well as the communities around them”.  

Delivering social impact  

The webinar reflected on the importance of social impact to existing communities and what developers can do to make places better for people who live there.

Cllr Bialyk spoke to the St Sidwell’s Passivhaus Leisure Centre – a “university of construction” – in which a £40 million investment and £2 million revenue over the first 18 months has supported the development of skills, apprenticeships, career opportunities, public health and local economy.

Social impact is also be seen in Edward’s Court, the new care facility developed by Exeter City Council and Exeter Bus Station; costing £8 million to develop, the station is a modern piece of infrastructure and “the first thing visitors see as they come into Exter”.

Spatial planning and infrastructure investment 

Labour wants 100 percent coverage of spatial plans. Aware that neighbouring authorities often develop close to the Exeter boundary, Phil had mixed views.

“More district councils are putting development right up to the boarder, which is fine, but we need to improve our infrastructure in order to support the population.

“Devon and Torbay will soon be consulting on a new English devolution deal. The only way forward will be a Devon and Cornwall Combined Authority – that will bring investment into Exeter that supports the people living there”.  

Phil also emphasised the importance of greater investment from central government in order to develop the volume of infrastructure required that section 106 alone does not cover. “Good roads and sustainable transport must come first”, he said when commenting on the development of Cranbrook in the east of Exeter.  

“The Government also needs to stand by it commitment to brownfield development”.  

So what’s Phil’s ask of the sector? 

“Be straight with us from the start”, Cllr Bialyk said when asked what developers can do to help bring forward more development. “Have continual discussions with us”.  

While Exeter is on an upwards trajectory, it still has a long way to go: “We’ll get that change but we’ve got to consult. 

“If you want to come to Exeter, we’ll always have the conversation. We want to deliver for people in and around the city. 

“It’s the only way to go – forwards not backwards”. 

Thank you to Cllr Bialyk and to everyone who attended the webinar. If you would like to have a chat about how we can support you to build support, articulate social impact or raise your profile in Exeter, please get in touch with EllaHazelton@meeting-place.uk and FreddiePalmer@meeting-place.uk.