3. This is our city, this is our future
The Exeter Vision 2040 and Liveable Exeter
3.1 In 2019, following engagement with key partners and stakeholders, the City Council adopted an ambitious vision for Exeter for the next 21 years known as the Exeter Vision 2040. As the Exeter Plan also looks to the long term future, it makes sense for it to be guided by the Exeter Vision 2040. Taking this approach will ensure that the Plan helps to achieve this vision.
3.2 The Exeter Vision 2040 is included below.
Summary
By the time they are an adult, a child born in Exeter today will live in a city that is inclusive, healthy and sustainable - a city where the opportunities and benefits of prosperity are shared and all citizens are able to participate fully in the city’s economic, social, cultural and civic life.
Outcomes
• An innovative and analytical city;
• A healthy and inclusive city;
• The most active city in the United Kingdom;
• A city of accessible world class education;
• A liveable and connected city;
• A leading sustainable city; and
• A city of culture.
3.3 The Exeter Vision 2040 refers to a future Exeter that supports collaboration; supports residents in homes that are secure, affordable and healthy; has a strong and growing economy; encourages healthy, active lifestyles; has world-class education and training; supports a vibrant city centre and inclusive and connected neighbourhoods; is carbon neutral by 2030; and is known nationally and internationally as a city of culture, sustainability and innovation
3.4 The achievement of these outcomes and ambitions drives the entire Exeter Plan. The outcomes map across to the key policies and development sites and each chapter includes an objective linked to delivering the Vision.
3.5 Alongside the Vision 2040, in 2019 the City Council launched Liveable Exeter. Liveable Exeter will help deliver the Exeter Vision 2040 and this Plan. It is a bold initiative to build new homes in the city in high quality developments and to transform brownfield land, strengthen existing communities and create new neighbourhoods. A series of Liveable Exeter principles will guide the largest developments to ensure they are of the highest quality. The principles are included in this Plan (Policy S2: Liveable Exeter Principles)
3.6 In 2022, the City Council launched a related planning initiative, the Exeter Design Quality Partnership. This aims to improve the way sustainability and design quality is addressed in the city.
3.7 The Exeter Design Quality Partnership is between the City Council, landowners, funding institutions, promoters of development and developers and is framed by the Exeter Vision 2040 and Liveable Exeter. It is about raising the level of ambition in design and city-making in Exeter, through collaboration.
Delivering the vision
3.8 The City Council cannot deliver Exeter’s Vision on its own. That is why the Exeter Partnership was created. Each organisation represented on the Exeter Partnership has endorsed the Exeter Vision 2040.
3.9 The Exeter Partnership enables collaboration between the city’s anchor institutions, sub-regional partners and the Government, in delivering Liveable Exeter. Whilst the Exeter Partnership has an independent Chair and does not take decisions, it does act as a critical friend, challenging partners to achieve the principles which underpin Liveable Exeter. The Exeter Vision 2040 will be delivered in different ways using a range of innovative tools including the Exeter Plan. However, there are other mechanisms which are being used to deliver high quality development in the city.
3.10 Other City Council plans, including the Corporate Plan and the strategies of key institutions and partners, will also play a vital role in delivering the Exeter Vision 2040
3.11 The City Council is working closely with its delivery partners on other initiatives including:
• The Net Zero Exeter 2030 Plan;
• The Cultural Compact and Exeter Cultural Strategy;
• Live and Move – the Sport England Local Delivery Pilot;
• Exeter City of Literature (UNESCO);
• InExeter – Exeter’s Business Improvement District;
• Devon County Council plans including the Exeter Transport Strategy, Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans and the Local Transport Plan 4;
• Heart of the South West Local Industrial Strategy;
• Exeter Civic University Agreement and the University 2030 Strategy; and
• Exeter College Strategic Plans.
3.12 Linked to these other strategies, the Exeter Plan will act as a focal point for discussions with the Government and its associated departments and agencies (such as Sport England, Homes England, Arts Council England, the Environment Agency, Natural England, National Highways and Historic England) to support the delivery of the Exeter Vision 2040 The Plan will inform bids for external funding, including for housing, infrastructure, environmental schemes and other priorities as needed.
3.13 As well as planning for change over the next twenty years through the Exeter Plan, development may come forward through innovative approaches using a variety of models. The City Council will continue work with partners to explore new, innovative delivery mechanisms to support high quality development and infrastructure delivery.