Plans for a new fifty four bed mental health hospital in Exeter have finally been given the green light, despite significant pushback from members of the local community. The facility, operated by Cygnet Health Care, is slated for construction in the Birchy Barton area on a plot of land situated near St Nicholas Primary School. While initial planning permission was granted back in 2018, no actual building work had taken place until now, leaving residents wondering if the project had been abandoned.
The proposal has faced stiff opposition since it was first introduced, drawing over two hundred objections from the public. Concerns centered largely on the suitability of the location, with critics arguing that placing such a facility so close to a primary school was inappropriate. Among those voicing concern was the headteacher of St Nicholas Primary, who described the proximity as unacceptable. In contrast, support for the move remained sparse during early consultations, though proponents emphasized the critical shortage of local mental health resources and the necessity of providing treatment closer to home.
According to current plans, the unit will provide specialized care across several departments. It will feature seventeen beds for men with acute mental health needs and twenty one beds dedicated to long term rehabilitation for men. Additionally, sixteen beds will be reserved for women requiring a low secure environment specifically designed for treating emotionally unstable personality disorders. As more residential housing has developed around Hornbeam Road since the original application, some neighbors remain wary about how the hospital will integrate into an increasingly crowded neighborhood.
Before moving forward with construction, Cygnet sought several amendments to their architectural designs. These updates included removing certain windows and glazing from the first floor after office spaces and meeting rooms were stripped from the blueprints. Minor adjustments to parking and site access were also requested and subsequently approved by Exeter City Council planning officers. With these final modifications signed off, developers now face a deadline to break ground within three years or risk losing their permission entirely.
