I am not from Exeter but the problem potentially exists at a number of airports designated by the DfT as needing a Public Safety Zone. Exeter is perhaps one of the first victims of this utter nonsense.
As the name PSZ suggests the DfT consider there is danger to persons living on the surface by overflying aircraft, particularly at the landing and take off phase. Also, research suggests that the greatest risk is from single engine light aircraft rather than twins, corporate jets or airline types.
Accordingly 'Zones' of risk, placed at the end of the runway, whose dimensions are dependant on the size and frequency of aircraft using some airports have been imposed by the DfT. This can result in airports having to compulsorarily purchasing any houses within these zones and turfing out their inhabitants often at vast expense.
One way around the problem is to move the landing threshold and/or the end of take off run available and by doing so move the 'zone' off of housing and onto the airport or open ground. This is only necessary for the supposedly 'high risk' single engine aircraft.
This only applies to DfT nominated aerodromes, of which I think there are around 20, and has a far greater effect on those with high density single engine operations.
Utter b***ocks
Regards