Planning approval for redevelopment of Exeter's Harlequins shopping centre
28/10/20
We were appointed by Curlew to undertake the engineering input to support a detailed planning application for the redevelopment of the Harlequins shopping centre in Exeter.
The existing shopping centre was built in the 1980s but footfall has fallen significantly and many retail units have closed over the last few years.
The existing shopping centre will be demolished apart from the building on the corner of Paul Street and Queen Street (currently housing Hyde and Seek). The new development will consist of two buildings on more or less on the same footprint as the existing building, while retaining the vehicle ramp to the Guildhall car park and replacing the footbridge across Paul Street. Building 1 to the north will comprise co-living accommodation, split between 26 cluster flats and 94 studios. 152 bedspaces will be provided in the cluster flats. Building 2 will be a 116 bedroom hotel.
Ian led our team which submitted a Transport Assessment addressing local concerns about the change of use of the site and the potential traffic impacts. We also worked with DCC highways officers, ECC landscape and urban design officers and the landscape design team at LHC to produce a streetscape improvement for Paul Street. Widely regarded as the “worst street on Exeter” the carriageway of Paul St will be narrowed to provide increased space for pedestrians and cyclists as well as space on the street for deliveries. The junctions at each end of Paul St will be refreshed and much of the focus has been on delivering quality materials in the city centre on the public highway.
With planning permission now granted the detailed delivery of the scheme will commence with AWP undertaking detailed design of the new Streetscape to DCC approval in due course.
We also worked with the Curlew team on the utility supplies to the site resulting in the retention of an existing sub station on site and reducing costs for new supplies as well as enabling some existing tenant relocations to be supplied whilst the development goes ahead.
Exeter City Council granted planning approval in October 2020.
Images reproduced courtesy of Curlew and lhc design