Update, February 2026
This page contains information on the original proposal for the Exeter Hertford Sports Hub, which did not receive planning permission in November 2025. It is retained here for reference only.
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Exeter and Hertford Sports Hub – open to all
A home for sport in Marston, with café and community rooms. Welcoming students, residents and community groups all year round.
Exeter and Hertford Colleges have come together to enhance their adjoining sports grounds at Edgeway Road, Marston – creating modern, sustainable facilities that will be open to residents, schools and clubs.
The vision
Sport
A high-quality sports hub offering a choice of popular facilities.
Community
Open to students, residents, schools and clubs – providing Marston with sports facilities, a café and community space.
Environment
Improved access to valued green space, for people and nature to thrive.
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The plans include turning Hertford’s old squash courts into a community café with indoor and outdoor seating |
Modern facilities for everyone
- Covered and outdoor padel tennis courts
- Outdoor cricket nets
- Hard courts suitable for basketball, netball and 5-a-side
- Football, rugby and cricket pitches
- Existing buildings repurposed to provide café, golf simulator and multipurpose community space
- Running and walking routes around the site
- Expanded, separate shower and changing facilities for padel players and team sports
- Improved disabled access, including wheelchair accessible lift, changing facilities, shower and WC
- Refurbished pavilions
- New footpaths and bicycle and e-scooter parking
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More than sport – real community benefits
- Inclusive and affordable – open to all, with fair pricing
- Sociable – a café and flexible community rooms to enjoy with friends and family
- Youth opportunities – welcoming local clubs and schools
- Health and wellbeing – promoting an active lifestyle for all ages
- Accessible – new footpaths and bicycle and e-scooter parking
- Safer grounds – year-round use and low-level lighting help tackle antisocial behaviour
- Environment – more trees and wildflower meadows, with improved public access to green space and nature
- Heritage renewed – historic pavilions restored
- Rooted in Oxford – working with experienced local partners to deliver welcoming, well-run sports and café facilities for the whole community
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The proposed site layout
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