Last night city planners approved student flats located in a historic area of Exeter, whilst two Countess Wear housing developments were thrown out.

The two applications for homes at Wear Barton Road and Ludwell Valley were considered by city councillors alongside the decision on the student accommodation development in the city centre.

The student accommodation scheme, named Quintana Gate, will consist of 130 rooms, located on the corner of Bartholomew Street East and Mary Arches Street. The site is the former home of the NHS Breast Cancer Screening Unit.

The scheme, which plans for an L-shape development, was designed by urban student living provider The Neighbourhood, which also operates a high spec student block in Cardiff, T2 Architects and LRM Planning Limited.

Controversial plans for homes just off Topsham Road, however, were thrown out as was the Wear Barton Road application.