The scheme is being brought forward by The Guinness Partnership Ltd, a registered provider of affordable housing, in partnership with Dorepark Ltd.



This website presents proposals for new housing on land at Cat Copse, Clyst St Mary and forms part of a public consultation process. We welcome your views and encourage you to review the information provided and share your feedback using the form available on the  Feedback page.

The site lies to the north of Sidmouth Road (A3052), immediately west of the Cat & Fiddle Inn and Cat & Fiddle Park, an established retirement residential area. It is also located close to the Westpoint Arena and Exhibition Centre.


Sidmouth Road benefits from frequent bus services providing direct connections to Exeter city centre, Sidmouth and Clyst St Mary village centre, ensuring good accessibility to local services and employment.

Project partners

Key Consultants


Planning - Bell Cornwell

Masterplanning and Architecture - Clifton Emery design

Transport and Drainage - Trace Design

Arboriculture - Aspect Tree Consultancy Ltd

Ecology - Colmer Ecology

About The Guinness Partnership

Who we are


The Guinness Partnership is one of the largest housing providers in England, with a history of more than 135 years. Founded in 1890, our purpose has always been to improve people’s lives and create possibilities for them.


Today, we provide homes and services to more than 160,000 residents across the country. Everything we do is focused on supporting residents, strengthening communities and delivering long-term social value. 


What we do 


The Guinness Partnership Limited is a Registered Provider of social housing, regulated by the Regulator of Social Housing.


Our core activities are:

  • The provision of housing for Social and Affordable rent;
  • Affordable home ownership (primarily shared ownership);
  • Housing for older people, and specialist and supported housing.


The majority of our homes are rented at levels below market rates and offer greater security than the private rented sector. Any surplus we generate is reinvested to improve homes, services and neighbourhoods.


Where we operate 


We are a national housing group with over 70,000 homes across 156 local authority areas across England. We focus on building and acquiring homes in areas where we have an established presence and where we can deliver the greatest benefit for residents and local communities.

Our vision and strategy 


Our vision is to improve people’s lives and create possibilities for them. In the current economic climate, this social purpose is more important than ever.


Our strategic objectives are for Guinness to:

  • Deliver great services – to be one of the best service providers in the housing sector;
  • Provide great homes - to provide as many high-quality homes as possible, and to play a significant part in tackling the country's housing crisis;
  • Be a great place to work - to be one of the best employers in the country.


And to:

  • Be a great business - to be a strong and efficient business that does things well, and that people can trust and rely on.


Investing in new homes


During 2025,  we invested £197m in the development of new homes, completing 699 and starting on site with a further 347. We have secured a total grant of £407.0m to fund our affordable homes development activity across programmes which run to 2029 under our Strategic Partnerships with Homes England and the Greater London Authority (GLA).


Example Schemes

  • Seabrook Orchard (Exeter City Council)
  • eRADE (Exeter City Council)
  • Mayfield Gardens (Exeter City Council)
  • Axminster (East Devon District Council)


https://www.guinnesspartnership.com/building-homes/our-homes/