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
Exeter Energy heat plant indicative render north elevation

Exeter City Council disregards national planning policy and Environment Agency criticism to approve Riverside Valley Park flood zone heat plant plans

Five gas boilers to provide 80% of “low-to-zero carbon” Grace Road Fields plant generation capacity for distribution to institutional consumers through privately-run 13-mile underground network expected to take ten years to complete.

University of Exeter West Park redevelopment demolition block plan

West Park redevelopment demolitions to proceed to enable intrusive unexploded ordnance surveys before works can begin

Five year-old University of Exeter plans to provide 2,000 new student bedspaces in blocks up to nine storeys tall by demolishing up to 30 buildings on fifteen acre Streatham campus site about to take seismic step towards delivery.

His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary Fire and Rescue Services logo

HMICFRS identifies sufficient Devon & Cornwall Police improvements to return force to routine monitoring

Inspectorate decision follows nearly three years of enhanced monitoring after force found inadequate in three of nine areas and requiring improvement in two more, but says “still work to do” in crime recording standards and investigations management.

Devon & Cornwall Police deputy chief constable Jim Colwell, previous chief constable Will Kerr and interim chief constable James Vaughan

Devon & Cornwall Police deputy chief constable Jim Colwell receives 18-month misconduct warning

Outcome of Independent Office for Police Conduct investigation delivered day before retirement of suspended chief constable Will Kerr announced, with Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez unwilling to say whether “golden handshake” agreed.

Newtown active travel scheme map

Newtown active travel scheme approved after four years of public consultations

Joint Devon County Council and Exeter City Council project includes road closure, car parking changes and contraflow Clifton Hill cycle lane.

On Our Radar
Summer at the Quayside illustration

TUESDAY 29 JULY TO FRIDAY 29 AUGUST 2025

Summer at the Quayside

A month of free family activities including weaving, felting, doodling and drumming.

EXETER QUAY

Exeter Street Arts Festival mural painting

SATURDAY 30 AUGUST 2025

Exeter Street Arts Festival 2025

The annual festival returns with street art, drumming, dance, workshops, walkabouts and live music.

EXETER CITY CENTRE

Burnet Patch Bridge spanning an eighteenth century cut in Exeter City Walls

FRIDAY 12 TO SUNDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2025

Heritage Open Days 2025

Annual festival returns with free talks, tours and exhibitions at heritage sites in and around Exeter.

EXETER CITY CENTRE