Exeter city planners have been urged to resist ‘big beige blocks’ when redeveloping key riverside land.

The city council’s executive committee has welcomed a new planning document which sets out the way forward for the Water Lane area.

It is nearly 30 years since the area was first earmarked for redevelopment, and it is now seen as a key ‘brownfield’ area for housing and other developments. It is currently home to a number of businesses, workshops, car parks and community facilities.

A report to the committee said it could provide a ‘high-quality, low-car’ new neighbourhood well served by a primary school, community, cultural and sustainable travel facilities including Marsh Barton railway station which opened last year.

But it does come with flood risks, and access and contamination problems, and councillors were told that any future development must protect nearby residents enjoyment of the area, and respect the site’s rich industrial and water-related heritage.

Councillors agreed a new detailed development document and design code by which any future Water Lane developer will have to abide.

Director of city development Ian Collinson told the meeting it had been a ‘jigsaw puzzle’ putting together the document, which represented a major step forward.

He said it could be a ‘catalyst for regeneration’ and added: “This is an opportunity to get going, and see Water Lane being delivered.”

Progressive group co-leader Cllr Diana Moore (Green, St David’s) supported the plan, and said: “This will have a massive impact on the city. Residents are very open to these developments and it generally welcome, but I am concerned that there will be big beige blocks all along the canal.

“We need to pay a lot of attention to the design.”

She said suggestions that the blocks could be up to nine storeys high gave rise to fears that the canal could be overshadowed.

Cllr Naima Allcock (Labour, Mincinglake and Whipton) said it meant the principles of the council’s Liveable Exeter policies for sustainable development would be brought to life.

Council leader Phil Bialyk (Labour, Exwick) agreed that buildings on the site should not be bland and beige.

And he added: “We’ve got a great opportunity here to actually demonstrate what a brownfield site in the heart of a vibrant city could be.

“It is important that we get it right.”