Devon County Council’s Cabinet has agreed to ensure that safeguards are in place to protect the future use of the Matford Offices site at County Hall, Exeter.

Councillors supported a motion on Wednesday, 11 March, recognising that the site has already been declared surplus, while committing to further work to explore development options that align with the Council’s strategic priorities and aspirations.

As part of the decision, a report will return to Cabinet setting out potential development options, alongside proposals for future guarantees on how the site could be used. These could include legal covenants and contractual obligations to ensure any development meets the authority’s strategic priorities and have a high environmental specification.

The Matford site, formerly used as council offices, includes public open space. Previous proposals highlighted the opportunity to use the site to support the Council’s priorities, including addressing Devon’s shortage of affordable, good‑quality housing, while safeguarding trees, a green corridor between the site and Matford Lane, and key walking routes.

Deputy Leader Councillor Paul Arnott thanked residents and stakeholders for their input and stressed the importance of safeguards in the process and said:

“Thank you to all who have contributed to this debate and to members of the public for their representations,” he said.

“Many of us came into local politics to prevent poor outcomes in planning in local government.

“As well as the process agreed to here, we have a backstop in place. Exeter City Council, as the planning authority, will have the ability to place any conditions that they feel are necessary on any future development, or of course to say no.”