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Four separate retail parks have been planned for South East Exeter in an unprecedented move.

Each of their four separate developer's, who have each submitted their plans over the past seven months, claim there is an untapped market of customers eager to make use of their proposed facilities.

Combined, the retail parks represent hundreds of millions of pounds of investment for the city - and would see shops, gyms and supermarkets offer scores of new jobs.

Outlets believed to be vying for units within them include Smyths Toys, Next At Home, McDonalds and M&S Food Hall.

poll loading Does Exeter need four more retail parks? 0+ VOTES SO FAR Yes, choice is everything! No, this will gravely impact other businesses!

The impact on Exeter High Street could be catastrophic, with Exeter City Council Chief Exec Karime Hassan long warning of the serious threat of out-of-town retail on the city centre.

But how does each major scheme stand in comparison to the other? We break them down into detail.

The Police One

Where: Off Middlemoor Roundabout

If approved, an eight acre plot of land will be developed to help fund a new Criminal Justice Centre and Police Hub that is currently being build at Middlemoor.

The plans include eight new retail units along with three food and drink restaurants with drive-through facilities.

A gym is also proposed along with 417 car park spaces and toilet facilities.

The planning application states that it is anticipated that the main terrace of retail units will be occupied mainly by national multiple bulky goods retailers in the furniture, furnishings and homewares sectors, with other retailer interest potentially coming from the hobbies, sports and toys sectors.

In terms of design, the main terrace of retail units would be glazed with timber above.

The development will involve the demolition of all existing buildings on the site which includes three buildings used for police operational and training purposes and the private four pump filling station.

The planning application states: "The application proposals represent a proposed investment of over £40m by Hammerson in Exeter.

"The development will add to the choice of retail and leisure facilities and will help to meet the retail and leisure needs of the city’s growing population.

"The proposals will further support the sustainable growth of the city because the sale of the application site to Hammerson will assist the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner to fund the development of the much needed new Criminal Justice Centre and Police Hub that is under construction in the southern part of the police headquarters complex at Middlemoor."

Hammerson, one of Europe’s largest retail property developers, were also behind Cabot Circus in Bristol, Bullring in Birmingham as well as several other out of town shopping centres.

The land was put back on the market by police in 2017 after supermarket giant Morrisons pulled out of a planned development.

The B&Q One

Where: Avocet Road

(Image: The Harris Partnership)

Plans submitted to Exeter City Council would see seven shopping units built on the site of the B&Q superstore along with cafes and and restaurants.

The retailer has four other stores across Devon - in Plymouth, Newton Abbot, Barnstaple and Torquay.

Earlier this month, B&Q chief executive Veronique Laury said the business is considering trading in its warehouse stores for convenience stores on the high street.

The company's owner Kingfisher currently has 1,300 stores employing 78,000 people around the world.

Designs for the proposed new retail park on Avocet Road in Sowton show a glass fronted units with greenwall landscaping and a large car park.

(Image: The Harris Partnership)

The design impact statement submitted with the planning application states: "Our principle design driver is to create a well-dressed crisply detailed retail scheme.

"This would be constructed out of high quality materials, not only in elevation, but also spreading to the surface materials used on pedestrian walkways and circulation spreading across the car parking areas as touched on in the landscaping section.

"The surface materials would be of a high street quality and include contemporary street furniture, as well as cycle park facilities."

B&Q claims it does not intend to move for the development, despite the plans being formally handed in to Exeter City Council.

The Moor Exchange One

Where: Honiton Road

Consolidated Property Group (CPG) was the very first, revealing its plans for a new retail park at the Moor Exchange earlier this year.

It claims it already has big names on board including Next and McDonald's.

Next to the Premier Inn, it would be anchored by the relocated Dual Format Next store - meaning the closure and relocation of the Exe Bridges branch in St Thomas.

Historically, the development has not been favoured by Exeter planners. In fact, it was previously thrown out on the basis that it would have a negative impact on the city centre economy.

CPG suggests the scheme will be a £15 million construction investment supporting 260 jobs in the build phase, will support about 520 full time equivalent jobs and support 160 full-time equivelant jobs in the wider economy.

It says a total of £9 million will be spent by Moor Exchange employees in the local economy and £1.1 million will be paid in business rates annually.

Martin Ridgway, CPG Group Managing Director, commenting on the report said: “This scheme, if approved, will be a very significant boost for East of Exeter.

"The city’s unemployment currently stands at 2,800, 88 per cent of whom live within five kilometres of the site with the youth unemployment rate standing at 16.6 per cent.

“The current shortage of employment opportunities and lack of associated material benefits that exists in this part of the City will be the biggest winner from this development, offering full and part-time employment for a wide variety of ages and skills.

“The retail industry is an ideal platform for the younger generation and traditionally employs local people. Regeneris has identified that 48 per cent of retail jobs regionally are drawn from within 5km and 26 per cent of retail jobs nationally belong to under 25s.

“This is all powerful evidence to support our planning application for Moor Exchange and reinforces not just local but also national planning and employment policies.”

The WPD One

Where: Honiton Road

Western Power Distribution (WPD) wants to redevelop its sites off Honiton Road, including its vehicle maintenance facility and a storage site next to B&Q, with £60 million investment and the creation of 325 jobs.

Fresh plans show five retail units and two restaurants, WPD say big names are being sought to fill them. They will be serviced by around 336 car parking spaces.

Truro-based Walker Developments, acting with WPD, say the site has 'long been regarded as an unattractive approach to Exeter.'

It will have to be cleaned up before any works begin, because the land is contaminated by hydrocarbons and 'unstable.'

The planning application can be found here, along with options to either object or comment on it.

The proposal will see WPD’s operations depot and vehicle maintenance workshop relocated to a new site with maintenance facilities and release land and buildings to provide new space for further investment in the Osprey Road site.

Walker Developments will be making land available from the Moor Lane site to assist with the widening of Honiton Road – enabling space for an additional lane, if required, to help the highways department with their improvements locally.

Richard Walker, Head of Walker Developments, said: "I am pleased to be able to announce the submission of this scheme which would enable Council Members and the local community to be able to consider this proposal in parallel with the already submitted scheme on the Moor Exchange site and weigh up the merits of both schemes.

"Members may decide that there can only be one scheme or indeed might conclude that both schemes can be supported.

"Certainly though, the raft of economic benefits across the three sites that the Walker Developments proposal will bring forward for Exeter sets this apart from just being a retail scheme.

"It will make a major contribution to the local economy and employment in the area as well as substantially enhancing the approach to Exeter from the east."

poll loading Which Retail Park would you rather see approved by planners? 0+ VOTES SO FAR The Police One The B&Q One The WPD One The Moor Exchange One

Ultimately, it will be up to Exeter City Council to decide which ones sail through the planning stage and becomes reality.

Follow our coverage of planning committee meetings in the near future to follow their progress.