THE EXETER DIGEST

Exeter Digest #17: Haven Banks redevelopment - Liveable Exeter investment zones - Council borrowing

Our essential newsletter also includes a curated selection of community and culture events and a new Exeter Local Plan consultation briefing.

TOP STORIES

FLOOD RISK THREATENS TO SINK HAVEN BANKS REDEVELOPMENT PLANS

Proposals for 434 rental units accommodating up to 1,167 people on 1.7 hectare Liveable Exeter site would deliver extreme housing densities that deny amenity to prospective occupants while inflicting significant impacts on existing residents.

WILL COUNCIL SEEK INVESTMENT ZONE STATUS FOR LIVEABLE EXETER SITES?

Government growth plans combine tax breaks with planning deregulation, putting affordable housing provision and environmental protections at risk with little evidence that promised investment zone benefits would result.

COUNCIL BORROWING NEARLY TRIPLES IN THREE YEARS AS PROPERTY ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT LOANS MOUNT

Freedom of information request reveals five paragraph “outline business plan” for £55 million Guildhall shopping centre investment.

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ON THE AGENDA

NEW EXETER LOCAL PLAN

A consultation on the outline draft version of the new Exeter local plan, which will guide development in the city until 2040, is now taking place.

At the same time national planning system reform is on its way, again threatening major changes that would require significant revision to the new plan before it is submitted to the planning inspectorate.

ON OUR RADAR

THURSDAY 20 OCTOBER // BLACK HISTORY MONTH POTTERY, POETRY AND SONG

Ceramicist Lili John and Devon Development Education are hosting a celebration of the life of 19th century potter, poet and slave David Drake.

TUESDAY 25 OCTOBER // SPORK! OCTOBER SPECIAL

Spork! presents an evening of spoken-word comedy and poetry with Kevin P. Gilday and multiple slam champion Kathryn O’Driscoll.

SATURDAY 29 OCTOBER // MARCH OF THE MUMMIES

Campaigning charity Pregnant Then Screwed is holding a Halloween-themed childcare protest march.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

FIRST EXETER “CO-LIVING” BLOCK COMES ON STREAM WITH ROOMS AT £946PCM+

Even “affordable” rooms in six storey 133-unit Gladstone Road block would leave many local key workers living below minimum income threshold.

COUNCIL PAVES WAY FOR 186-BED “CO-LIVING” BLOCK IN SUMMERLAND STREET

Freedom of information request reveals intended scale of development after executive committee takes decision behind closed doors.

WORLD CAR FREE DAY IGNORED IN EXETER AS EXTINCTION REBELLION CHALLENGES COUNCIL CLIMATE INACTION

Protestors gathered outside council offices as CEO Karime Hassan posed for photo with construction company development manager at Princesshay promotion.

More stories
Clarendon House, Exeter

Clarendon House developer submits plan to convert office block to 32 residential flats alongside 310-bed PBSA proposals

Application for change of use of existing building to be followed by application for demolition and replacement with much taller student accommodation complex following two rounds of informal public consultation on scheme.

Bar chart of Devon County Council cumulative SEND deficit 2019-20 to 2031-32 at March 2024 with 2024-25 £14.7 million month eight excess overspend added

Devon County Council “safety valve” deal target breach rises by 40% to £20.4m as SEND overspend reaches £51.6m

Cumulative SEND deficit now expected to peak at £227m while deal targets set to be missed every year to 2032, risking County Hall bankruptcy if government withdraws support.

Devon County Council 2025-26 budget press release image

Devon County Council 2025-26 budget to bring more service delivery cuts

£22 million cuts concealed by £60 million costs increases as council misrepresents financial position and fails to answer questions about where cuts will fall.

Mark Kingscote and Alison Hernandez

Deputy police and crime commissioner Mark Kingscote resigns five months after defiant appointment by Alison Hernandez

Resignation follows appointment of third Devon & Cornwall Police chief constable in eighteen months after suspensions of Jim Colwell in November and Will Kerr in July 2023.

Royal Clarence Hotel in September 2024

Paternoster House developer takes on Royal Clarence Hotel rebuild after sale agreement reached with previous owners

Completion of restoration plans for five floors of luxury flats above ground floor and basement commercial units scheduled for April 2027, more than decade after historic Cathedral Yard building burnt down.

Interim Devon & Cornwall Police Chief Constable James Vaughan

James Vaughan appointed as interim Devon & Cornwall Police Chief Constable

Appointment follows suspension of acting Chief Constable Jim Colwell, recruited following suspension of Chief Constable Will Kerr, as force pays salaries of all three.

On Our Radar
Digital Media Literacy seminars graphic

MONDAY 27 JANUARY TO MONDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2025

Let’s Talk About: Digital Media Literacy

A series of free seminars aimed at tackling misinformation and information overload in the digital world.

EXETER LIBRARY

Woodcut illustrating an execution by burning at the stake

SATURDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2025

Exeter History Book Festival

One-day event with talks from four Devon historians and stalls from local heritage organisations.

MINT METHODIST CHURCH CENTRE

Iryna Ilnytska in Exeter Cathedral

SATURDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2025

Aspects of Love

A lunchtime concert with mezzo-soprano Iryna Ilnytska to raise funds for Ukraine.

EXETER CATHEDRAL