THE EXETER DIGEST

Exeter Digest #19: Reclaim the Night - West Park - Climate Action Hub - Active travel - Boundary changes

Our essential newsletter also covers three ongoing public consultations plus a showcase of local spoken word talent, a film screening and discussion on the cost of living and climate crises and the return of St Leonard’s Christmas Fair.

TOP STORIES

RECLAIM THE NIGHT TO PROTEST AGAINST SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND HARASSMENT OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN PUBLIC SPACE

Exeter event takes place on 1 December after survey finding that 85% felt unsafe or very unsafe when walking alone in city centre at night, with police figures showing violent and sexual offences exceed 35% of all recorded crime in city.

UNIVERSITY TO HOLD 4½ HOUR CONSULTATION ON 1,700 BED WEST PARK REDEVELOPMENT DESIGN

Outline plans to demolish 30 buildings and construct 50,000m2 of student accommodation on fifteen acre Streatham campus site do not comply with university or council environmental policies.

CLIMATE ACTION HUB OPENS IN EXETER CITY CENTRE

A dedicated climate crisis information and resource centre is opening on 25 November in an empty Princesshay retail unit to provide events, meeting space, film screenings and drop-in advice and support.

FIGURES SHOW DECLINING EXETER WALKING AND CYCLING RATES AS ACTIVE TRAVEL DELIVERY FALLS BY THE WAYSIDE

County council plans to remove Queen Street active travel infrastructure despite road space reallocation commitments expose equivocal city transport policy aim.

PINHOE, ST. LOYE’S AND TOPSHAM ALL IN NEW EXETER EAST AND EXMOUTH CONSTITUENCY UNDER REVISED CHANGES

Final boundary commission consultation follows city council proposal to move marginal Pinhoe to safe Conservative seat and keep Priory Labour stronghold in city.

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ON THE AGENDA

NEW EXETER LOCAL PLAN

The city council is holding a consultation on the outline draft version of its new local plan, which will guide development in Exeter until 2040.

There are three more opportunities to question council planning officers in person on what is, and is not, included in the outline draft before the consultation closes on 5 December.

DEVON ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STRATEGY

A county council consultation on a draft Devon Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy is under way. The strategy will form part of an emerging Local Transport Plan for the area.

A public webinar will be held at 6pm on Tuesday 22 November with another restricted to businesses and organisations on Tuesday 6 December. The consultation closes on 16 December.

EXWICK VILLAS SPEED LIMIT AND PARKING CHANGES

The county council is also consulting on its proposals to increase the speed limit along the length of Exwick Road from Redhills to Station Road, and to extend the increase along St Andrew’s Road.

The changes, which would be accompanied by a speed limit reduction on Station Road, are being proposed on the grounds they would improve road safety and reduce congestion. New parking restrictions beside Exwick Villas would also be introduced.

You have until 1 December to respond to the consultation, after which members of Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee will decide the outcome.

ON OUR RADAR

SATURDAY 19 NOVEMBER // SPORK UP! WITH BOHDAN PIASECKI

Spork! is holding an afternoon workshop and evening performance showcasing local spoken word talent at Exeter Phoenix.

SUNDAY 20 NOVEMBER // GREENPEACE TOWN HALL

Greenpeace Exeter is screening a short film and hosting a discussion on the cost of living and climate crises at Exeter Community Centre.

SATURDAY 3 DECEMBER // ST. LEONARD’S CHRISTMAS FAIR

Community-run Magdalen Road market returns for its eleventh year with festive food, music and gifts.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

UNIVERSITY SAYS 39,000 STUDENTS – NEARLY 30% OF CITY’S POPULATION – BASED AT EXETER CAMPUSES IN 2021-22

Freedom of information request reveals 11,500 more students than published FTE figures with major implications for council planning policy but university refuses to disclose numbers in PBSA vs residential housing stock.

STAGECOACH PROPOSES FREE TRAVEL AND FAST-TRACKED INFORMATION UPGRADES TO COMPENSATE FOR SERVICE FAILURES

West of England traffic commissioner holds Exeter’s principal bus operator to account at public inquiry, with final decision on performance expected this week.

HEAVITREE ROAD DEVELOPER GETS SIXTH PITCH FOR STUDENT/CO-LIVING COMPLEX

Eight design iterations, six council meetings, four consultation rounds and two deferrals combine to impede public participation in planning process on key Liveable Exeter site and increase chances of decision being overturned at appeal.

More stories
2024-25 Devon County Council locality budget community grants allocations by Exeter councillor

Heavitree & Whipton Barton community groups miss out on £14,600 after Danny Barnes fails to sign funding agreements

Voluntary sector grants now lost following 12% councillor attendance record highlighting need for by-elections in absentee cases.

Suspended Devon and Cornwall Police Chief Constable Will Kerr

Criminal investigation into suspended Devon & Cornwall Police Chief Constable dropped

Will Kerr to remain suspended while IOPC resumes previously paused conduct investigation and interim chief constable James Vaughan continues to lead force.

2024 duration in hours of monitored spill events at water company overflow sites bar graph

South West Water bills rise by a third following worst performance in sector with 550,000 hours of sewage spills

Tariffs increase as Environment Agency publishes damning data after South West Water owner Pennon Group issues £24.5 million in dividends to shareholders.

Devon & Torbay Combined County Authority inaugural meeting 19 March 2025

Devon & Torbay CCA sets sail for regional democratic deficit with £500,000 crew

Combined county authority throws public accountability overboard as future regional strategic governance body ratifies constitution at inaugural meeting but fails to explain why so many staff needed to deliver so little at such colossal cost.

Exeter Post Office in Guildhall Shopping Centre WHSmith

Sidwell Street Post Office to close as WHSmith shops sale raises risk of Exeter city centre counter service disappearance

Closure follows loss of Exeter’s last Crown Post Office in Bedford Street, since when all city branches operated by franchisees or independent businesses.

Exeter local elections campaign materials

Help hold Devon’s political parties and politicians to account during the 2025 local elections

Send us any campaign materials you receive so we can fact-check candidates’ claims and hold them to their pledges after the votes have been counted.

On Our Radar
Jess Hughes Cameron and Chin See at 2024 Topsham Music Festival

FRIDAY 25 TO SUNDAY 27 APRIL 2025

2025 Topsham Music Festival

Three day event features jazz, percussion and classical music played by young professional musicians from across the country.

TOPSHAM

Tabatha Andrews sculpture

SATURDAY 26 APRIL TO SATURDAY 21 JUNE 2025

The Slightest Gesture

Sculptor and installation artist Tabatha Andrews presents a new immersive exhibition.

EXETER PHOENIX

Liberation in Venice 1945

SUNDAY 27 APRIL 2025

Festa Di Liberazione

Italian Cultural Association Exeter hosts a day of music, dance, poetry and Italian culture.

KALEIDER

Edward Tripp

TUESDAY 29 APRIL 2025

City Slam 2025

Exeter City of Literature, Taking the Mic and Spork! co-host a third city-wide spoken-word poetry competition.

EXETER PHOENIX

Exeter Pride in Exeter High Street

SATURDAY 10 MAY 2025

Exeter Pride 2025

Exeter Pride returns for a celebration of LGBTQ+ diversity with a parade, marketplace, music, cabaret and more.

NORTHERNHAY GARDENS

Detail from Panorama of Prague from the Schönborn Garden

SATURDAY 10 MAY 2025

Czech Classics

Isca Ensemble and chorus perform a programme by Czech composer Antonín Dvořák.

EXETER CATHEDRAL