GREATER Exeter, comprising the areas covered by Exeter City Council, East Devon District Council, Mid Devon District Council and Teignbridge District Council (and supported by Devon County Council), are among five places across England announced on Wednesday, March 13, as those taking part in a new programme to recognise and support high quality placemaking.

The Future Place programme is an initiative run by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), Local Government Association (LGA) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

Greater Exeter is among the five “Future Places” selected as exemplars based on their overarching placemaking visions and innovative approaches.

The others are:

• Bradford (City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council)

• Great Yarmouth (Great Yarmouth Borough Council)

• Gateshead (Gateshead Council)

• North Northamptonshire (Northamptonshire County Council, Corby Borough Council, East Northamptonshire Council, Kettering Borough Council and Borough Council of Wellingborough).

All five Future Places are determined to deliver meaningful change which will enhance people’s lives, improve community well-being and create sustainable environments. While each place is very different, they all work in collaboration with public, private or voluntary sector partners to develop and advance innovative placemaking strategies. 

The five selected places will now take part in a programme to develop visions for their areas, with training and expert advice from each of the Future Places project partners.

Homes England will join the RIBA, CIH, LGA and RTPI as a partner and will offer all Future Places their expertise and professional skills. The selected local authorities will benefit from a single point of contact at Homes England to support their vision and receive access to the agency’s frameworks to help reach the specialist services they need to create places where people really want to live. 

Homes England Deputy Chief Executive, Tom Walker, said: “The Future Place programme provides an excellent opportunity to work with exemplar councils to understand not only the needs of each place, but how best to break down the barriers and get more homes built where they are needed most. I welcome this collaboration and look forward to the agency getting involved.”

RIBA President, Ben Derbyshire, offered his congratulations: “Local authorities play a vital role in creating happy, healthy and sustainable communities, and I am proud to be part of this initiative which encourages engagement with communities and collaborative approaches to planning and designing the best possible environments. The commitment these authorities have shown, despite financial and political barriers, is highly commendable. I look forward to working with all five over the next phase of the programme, learning lessons as they develop their visions, and celebrating their success.”

In the bid it states that Exeter is one of the fastest growing cities in the UK.

It says it sits within a network of thriving rural villages and coastal towns that together represent a population of around 450,000 people.

By 2040 Greater Exeter wants to be recognised as a global leader in sustainable living and one of the most active, healthy and accessible cities in England.

The group of five local authorities was formed to create the “Greater Exeter Strategic Plan” – a joined-up vision for the area.

Joint initiatives include making public transport quicker and more convenient; promoting active travel; freeing up land used for driving and parking for social uses; and building more green spaces with arts and cultural facilities to encourage healthier lifestyles.

In the next 12 months the Authorities intend to publish their draft “Strategic Plan” for the new Exeter sub-region and launch a transformational housing plan for the City to deliver 12,000 new homes between 2020-2040.

Working closely with its Community Interest Company, Exeter City Futures, Greater Exeter will draw on the Future Place Programme to ensure placemaking is at the heart of their innovative approach to challenges faced by their vast and varied communities.