January 2026 Update: 

Over the last two years our Board of Trustees has been exploring the potential use of Mount Radford Lawn as a multi-use space for the benefit of our Charity, the local community and the wider Deaf community. Following our Feasibility Study report in 2025 we commissioned a Pre-Planning Application to explore the potential for development of the site in line with our charitable objects and local themes, namely recreation and leisure, nature and biodiversity, partnership and community.

The details in the recent Pre-Planning Application were overall received favourably by Exeter City Council. The Board of Trustees has commissioned the initial preparation of the full planning application and in addition are commissioning an evaluation of funding opportunities and the wider business model for the delivery of the proposed facilities and space. A decision on whether to progress with the proposal including the full planning application will be made by the Board of Trustees in Spring/Summer 2026.

The Academy’s Principal, Sylvan Dewing, said: “This is a very exciting project. We are now in the later stages of assessing its overall viability in delivering sustainable outcomes for the Charity, local community and wider Deaf community”.

Exeter Energy Network Proposal

Exeter Energy Network has approached the Academy about supporting their Green Heat Exeter Energy Network which aims to substantially decarbonise heat across Exeter by delivering renewable heat from a single Energy Centre to buildings in and around the centre of Exeter.

In line with our Eco-Schools values and wider strategic objectives in working towards Net Zero, we have agreed a fixed period during which Mount Radford Lawn will be used by Exeter Energy Network to support the roll out of the Exeter Energy Network, subject to

agreement by Exeter City Council. Funding received from this agreement will support the overall running of the Charity and its various projects, including the development and assessment of the Mount Radford Lawn proposal.

Mr Dewing added: “We were really pleased to be approached by Exeter Energy Network in supporting the renewable energy project for Exeter. We are a Green Flag accredited Eco-School and students and staff are very keen to support projects and initiatives that support the development of renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gases.

“Our Charity is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year as the oldest Deaf school in England and one of the oldest charities the Devon. We are very proud of our history and our connections to the neighbourhood of St Leonards and the City of Exeter.”

The Board of Trustees will meet in February for the next stage of discussions related to the Mount Radford Lawn proposal.

October 2024 Update:

Thank you for your interest in the Feasibility Study, led by Ben Hunt from ParkLife, into exploring future possible uses of Mount Radford Lawn in Exeter.   

 The Feasibility report was presented by Ben Hunt to the Charity’s Board of Trustees on the 18th July and Trustees noted the high levels of engagement in the study and the positive response to it.  

 Ben presented three key themes that had come out of discussions and feedback related to the land.  

• Recreation and leisure. Given the lack of green space in St Leonards, residents were keen for there to be open space, perhaps with a play park, fitness trails and equipment and a bike track.   
• Nature and bio-diversity. This was the biggest theme with a strongly expressed desire to maintain the green space with trees and wildflower planting and perhaps a community orchard.  
• Partnerships and Community. Buildings that could be used for supporting partnerships with the Deaf Academy and wider communities and for work-related or educational purposes. In addition, facilities that could be used by the community. This also included a discussion on possible pre-school/nursery provision.  

The Trustees welcomed the report, in particular thanking Ben Hunt for leading the study and acknowledged the high level of engagement from stakeholders. The Trustees noted the report identified and explored useful thematic shared areas for Charity and Community use. These areas were welcomed by Trustees to be a positive first step.  

 There were two main lines of enquiry from Trustees. Firstly, relating to our charitable objects and to what extent these thematic areas could be developed to best meet these objects to the benefit of Deaf young people and to ensure any future use of Mount Radford Lawn complies with Charity Commission rules. Secondly, to what extent a business model could be created that would be sustainable in securing funding from a range of potential contributors and for maintaining such use for Mount Radford Lawn.   

 Further discussions will take place at the next meeting when Trustees shall be asked whether to proceed with a pre-application process, with proposals that incorporate the rich and broad feedback from the Feasibility report.  

 All updates will be posted on this page. 

 Please email enquiries about Mount Radford Lawn to mrl@thedeafacademy.ac.uk, stating your interest. You are welcome to send in your BSL video to this email address. 

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May 2024 Update: Feasibility Study Launched for Mount Radford Lawn in Exeter

We have received considerable interest in this feasibility study and are extending this consultation stage by a few weeks. The deadline for comments and feedback is now Thursday 20th June 2024.

 To engage in this feasibility study, please email mrl@thedeafacademy.ac.uk, stating your interest. You are welcome to send in your BSL video to this email address.

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