ECS Follows up on Grace Road Playing Fields (Energy Centre)

You will have heard about the shambles with the consultation about ECC disposing land for the Energy Plant in Grace Road Playing Fields and the adjacent areas. It got so bad that we followed up our response to the land disposal earlier this year by providing a slightly revised letter of concern with some objections to the disposal of this land. Especially we object to the additional area being included in the lease (green line) because it must remain as public open space, controlled by the city council (or an emerging local authority) as part of the Riverside Valley Park - its current status. Now that we have a bit more of a taster how damaging and disturbing the laying of the necessary pipework is, we do not want to see the historic path along the canal or operable playing fields be hampered with.

In summary, we object to the following aspects of these disposals:
• The disposal of any land outside of the core area for the energy plant at Grace Road Fields because the council must keep control of public open space.
• Disposal of land between the core site and Clapperbrook Lane because the council must control access to public open space.
• Allowing an easement for pipework that will cross Bronham Playing Fields because it will damage the sports surface.
• Allowing an easement for pipework along the canal towpath because it is an historical structure and there is an alternative route.

For the full letter of objection, click on: https://exetercivicsociety.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/ECS-2nd-letter-Grace-Road-land-disposal-051125-11-25.pdf