Headlines
Grace Road Fields development illustrative aerial view

Council consults on Riverside Valley Park land sale without admitting heat plant proposals contravene local plan policy

4.5 acre Grace Road Fields plot “most suitable” for development despite Belle Isle Depot brownfield site location beside river on heat network distribution route.

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Frasers Group Paris Street and Sidwell Street leaseholds after Princesshay sale

Council aims at Frasers Group Citypoint partnership after retail leaseholds sold as part of Princesshay deal

Mike Ashley-owned sports goods and retail group became Paris Street and Sidwell Street landlord in October, prompting council to rethink options for former bus station while revisiting comprehensive redevelopment of site stalled since 2017.

Exeter City Community Trust survey misses mark on King George V playing fields development plans

Exeter City Community Trust survey misses mark on King George V playing fields development plans

Council promised “wide-ranging, fully open public consultation” on future of 40 acre public open space when decision made to transfer land to trust, while outcome of statutory consultation on disposal remains unpublished.

On Our Radar
Children cycling with Santa Claus

SATURDAY 14 DECEMBER 2024

Kidical Mass Christmas ride

Kidical Mass Exeter to hold its ninth family bike ride as part of an ongoing campaign for safe cycling routes for children, young people and families.

BELMONT PARK

Winterwood trees graphic

SATURDAY 14 DECEMBER 2024 TO SUNDAY 5 JANUARY 2025

Winterwood

A family-friendly, interactive production set in a festive forest by Theatre Alibi, Angel Exit Theatre and Above Bounds.

EMMANUEL HALL

Dayzee and the World of Tomorrow graphic

SUNDAY 15 TO SATURDAY 28 DECEMBER 2024

Dayzee and the World of Tomorrow

Quirk Theatre presents a festive family-friendly adventure about a magical future.

EXETER PHOENIX

Spotlight
St Petrocks No-one Chooses to be Homeless film still

St Petrock’s appeals for funds to support its work with rough sleepers

Exeter homelessness charity’s Christmas 2024 fundraising campaign features a short film depicting the fictional tale of a rough sleeper in the city’s streets.

Below the fold
How did Devon MPs vote on the assisted dying bill second reading?

How did Devon MPs vote on the assisted dying bill second reading?

Ten of Devon’s thirteen MPs voted in favour of a private member’s bill to legalise assisted dying in the House of Commons on Friday as the bill reached its crucial second reading stage.

Exeter real-terms wages fall while increasing in neighbouring districts

Exeter real-terms wages fall while increasing in neighbouring districts

Devon Public Health Intelligence index also scores several Exeter neighbourhoods among highest combined relative poverty risk areas in county.

Acting Devon and Cornwall Police Chief Constable Jim Colwell suspended

Acting Devon and Cornwall Police Chief Constable Jim Colwell suspended

Independent Office for Police Conduct investigation of gross misconduct allegations follows suspension of previous Devon and Cornwall Police Chief Constable Will Kerr last year.

2024-25 SEND overspend rises to £45.8m as government “safety valve” deal target breach doubles to £14.7m in two months

2024-25 SEND overspend rises to £45.8m as government “safety valve” deal target breach doubles to £14.7m in two months

County council breaches Local Government Act by failing to publish budget documents in time for scrutiny and cabinet meetings and councillors complain about missing financial information and being “kept in the dark” about SEND delivery.

Exeter Business Improvement District wins ballot for third five-year term

Exeter Business Improvement District wins ballot for third five-year term

Just under half of 670 businesses eligible to vote took part, 90% voting in favour of renewal.

Exeter College amends Flowerpot Fields plans to replace two of six classrooms with changing rooms

Exeter College amends Flowerpot Fields plans to replace two of six classrooms with changing rooms

Revisions submitted during building construction also show two rooms described as “changing rooms” and “overflow sports training and education space”, both with unobscured full-height classroom windows and no shower facilities.

Controversial Exeter bus lane changes approved after three and a half hour County Hall debate

Controversial Exeter bus lane changes approved after three and a half hour County Hall debate

Devon County Council claims £2.4 million “intelligent corridor” upgrades along Heavitree Road and Pinhoe Road routes could save up to “approximately four minutes” journey time and bring “economic benefit of around £2,150,000” each year.

New countywide transport strategy falls short on fundamental mobility challenges

New countywide transport strategy falls short on fundamental mobility challenges

Draft 2025-40 Devon & Torbay Local Transport Plan lacks serious measures to address congestion and enable shift to public transport as local government reorganisation threatens derailment.

Plan for student accommodation block in back garden of 17-bed Pennsylvania Road HMO dismissed at appeal

City council planning consent refusal upheld by inspector in decision citing existing community balance policy that is not retained in proposed new Exeter Local Plan.

Singapore hospitality group buys Hotel Indigo Exeter for £19.4 million

Sale of converted House of Fraser department store announced one week after Frasers Group purchase of adjacent Princesshay shopping centre.

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New rules compel Stagecoach South West to introduce real-time onboard bus journey information

Around 40% of company’s Exeter fleet requires accessibility improvements including automated screens and announcements by next October, with remainder due in following twelve months.

South West Water ordered to repay £17.4 million to customers as poor performance penalty

Ofwat annual regulatory report finds company sewer collapse and serious pollution incident rates are worst in England and Wales, with customer satisfaction decline among largest in industry.

Developer says Harlequins “co-living” scheme viability requires on-site key worker accommodation removal

Proposal to shift financial risks on to city council comes four years after initial approval, citing falling property values and higher finance and construction costs.

Victoria Street “co-living” complex refused as “substandard level of accommodation”

Council confirms scheme would constitute “overdevelopment” but persists in promoting co-living as local housing solution, claiming lack of demand means “no evidence to demonstrate that it is not a suitable model” for Exeter.

Frasers buys Princesshay shopping centre as part of wider retail space acquisition

Mike Ashley-owned sports goods and retail group buys 400,000 square feet centre outright from The Crown Estate and Nuveen for a reported £80 million.

Paternoster House flats described as “blueprint for Exeter’s future” marketed for rent at up to £3,500 per month

Standard minimum earnings eligibility threshold to rent each of four city centre flats so far completed ranges from £71,500 to £104,000 per annum, three times Exeter median wages, while best-paid 10% in Devon earn £52,400.

Dartmoor landowner seeks Supreme Court ruling to prevent wild camping

Alexander and Diana Darwell, owners of 4,000 acre Blachford Estate, aim to overturn appeal court ruling restoring access rights championed by Dartmoor National Park Authority and campaign group Open Spaces Society.

Spotlight
Vaughan Road development site phase two groundworks

Council to mothball Exeter City Living Vaughan Road flats after first phase leaving £2.75m groundworks fenced off

Twelve year-old plan to rebuild remaining pre-war Laing’s Easiform council houses in Buddle Lane estate to be seen through to completion instead, as undelivered local housing promises finally collide with reality.