Plans for a new energy plant in Exeter have ignited strong opposition from locals concerned about green space loss
Exeter: There’s been quite a stir over the Exeter City Council’s plan to sell off some green space in Riverside Valley Park for a new energy center. People are really upset about losing this area.
The council wants to sell about a third of the playing fields at Grace Road Fields, which is around 1.8 hectares. This land would be used by Exeter Energy Network to create an energy plant that pulls heat from the River Exe and uses excess heat from a nearby incinerator and a proposed data center.
This new facility is supposed to provide heating for local businesses and homes, including the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. It’s located between Marsh Barton railway station and the Exeter Ship Canal, and part of it was even used during the railway station’s construction.
On December 17, the council announced a public consultation on their website, but they only gave folks until December 31 to share their thoughts. That didn’t sit well with many residents.
Green councillors are pushing for the consultation to be paused, saying that people need more information to make informed decisions. They feel the council hasn’t made a strong enough case for selling off this precious green space.
Cllr Andy Ketchin voiced his concerns, stating that the council hasn’t provided enough details about the environmental impact. He pointed out that the field is part of the protected Riverside Valley Park and that the public deserves to know the full story.
He also mentioned that there hasn’t been any Environmental Impact Assessment done, which is a big deal. This area is important for nature and is sensitive to flooding, so the council should really consider the environmental effects before moving forward.
Plus, Ketchin is questioning whether this is truly the only site available for the energy plant. He’s asked to see information about other potential sites, but so far, the developer hasn’t shared anything.
He believes the public needs clear and accurate information to respond properly to the consultation. Ketchin is urging the council to hold off on selling the Grace Road Fields site until they can prove there are no other suitable locations.
The council has previously claimed they looked at 14 potential sites and found this one to be the best option. They say the Grace Road Energy Centre will generate low-carbon heat from various sources, including heat pumps and waste heat from the data center and the nearby Energy Recovery Facility.
By connecting to a centralized energy center, buildings can ditch individual gas boilers, which is supposed to lead to cleaner air and less reliance on fossil fuels.
Exeter Energy Network has explained their reasoning for choosing this site, citing its proximity to several low-carbon energy sources, including a waste facility and a solar farm. They believe this will help reduce emissions and lower heating costs for customers.
They also mentioned that the site is next to the Marsh Barton Trading Estate, which fits in with the existing light-industrial area. Plus, it’s been designated for mixed-use in the city’s Local Plan.
They’re also committed to boosting biodiversity around the site by 20%, which is double the usual requirement. They plan to work with local partners to achieve this goal.
