In 2013 the city council announced that they had entered into an agreement with developer The Crown Estate and their retail partners to redevelop the whole site, including the replacement of some of the buildings in Paris Street and Sidwell Street. This was to be based on a set of Development Principles which was published in 2012, and was found acceptable by the society.
In October 2016, Exeter's most historic and beautiful hotel, the Royal St Clarence in the Cathedral Green, was destroyed in a devastating fire. Progress has been slow in developing plans for its restoration or redevelopment, but Exeter Civic Society are keenly interested in whatever happens.
In September 2023 the planning application was approved, so hopefully building work will start soon.
Update August 2025: Blue Plaque in the hotel and potential visit by our society
2 Dec 2025: ECS responds to Planning Application
In 2019 Exeter City Council received a planning application for the redevelopment of the shopping centre site to build a Hotel and a Co-living block. The proposals were for 298 co-living rooms with amenity space and 230 cycle spaces, and the hotel would have 114 bedrooms with restaurant and 42 parking spaces.
Follow the progress in development of the former Clifton Hill Sports Centre site and our efforts to ensure any suggested plans are suitable for the city and the site in general. The current plans are highly contentious and the Society are being proactive in our response.