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
Northbrook Swimming Pool campaign demonstration Exeter Guildhall 13 May 2025

Campaigners compel Exeter City Council to reconsider Northbrook pool closure with 2,250-strong resident petition

Pressure on council intensifies after freedom of information request responses confirm £3.5 million budget cuts included potentially unlawful decision to close swimming pool without public consultation or impact assessment.

Wild camping on Dartmoor

Supreme Court rejects Dartmoor landowners’ attempt to prevent wild camping on their land

Judges unanimously dismiss appeal by Alexander and Diana Darwall against 2023 ruling upholding Dartmoor Commons Act as campaigners call for enhanced public rights to access nature pledged by Labour when still in opposition.

Child on park bench

Ofsted finds Devon County Council children’s services remain “inadequate” with rating unchanged since 2020

Inspection report highlights “serious weaknesses” that are “leaving children at risk of harm” as failings echo poor Special Educational Needs & Disabilities provision.

Mid Devon District Council headquarters at Phoenix House in Tiverton

Mid Devon District Council mischarged 2,865 social housing tenants £15.5 million in rent over twenty years

Housing regulator identifies “serious failings” in application of rent standard as council discovers dozens of evictions in which “rent arrears were the sole, or contributory factor”.

Dartmoor wildfire on 5 May 2025, photo by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

Dartmoor National Park warns of continued high fire risk after wildfire destroys 1,230 acres of moorland

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service took nearly 24 hours to extinguish bank holiday weekend blaze that followed warning of uncontrolled moorland fire risk.

Former Firezza in Sidwell Street to become adult gaming centre

24 hour year-round Sidwell Street “adult gaming centre” allowed at appeal

Planning inspector finds no evidence that “increase in crime and disorder” or “serious detrimental impacts on the health of local residents” would result from change of use from restaurant and takeaway unit.

On Our Radar
Steve Tyler and Marco Cannavò

SATURDAY 31 MAY 2025

Love, Devotion and Harmonious Melodies

Steve Tyler and Marco Cannavò perform medieval music on historical instruments.

ST NICHOLAS PRIORY

Exeter Respect Festival

SATURDAY 7 & SUNDAY 8 JUNE 2025

Exeter Respect Festival 2025

The annual celebration of Exeter diversity returns for its 28th anniversary with live music and performance, food stalls, community and campaign groups.

BELMONT PARK

Exeter City Of Literature literary map

SUNDAY 8 JUNE 2025

The Book Market 2025

Exeter City of Literature event features independent booksellers from across the county with author talks, stalls, food and drink.

CATHEDRAL GREEN

Exeter Custom House

SUNDAY 8 JUNE 2025

Heritage Harbour Festival 2025

The maritime-themed event returns for a third year with steam boats, exhibitions, talks, live music, film screenings and more.

EXETER QUAY

Art Week Exeter 2025 graphic

MONDAY 9 TO SUNDAY 15 JUNE 2025

Art Week Exeter 2025

Festival returns with exhibitions, film screenings, talks, workshops, performances, social events and an art car boot sale.

EXETER CITY CENTRE

Pipe organ keyboard in St Mary's Church, Throwleigh by Andrew Abbott

SATURDAY 14 JUNE 2025

Lost and Found (Keyboards Revoiced)

Exeter Contemporary Sounds and Ian Summers perform works on rescued, repurposed and reimagined instruments.

EXETER LIBRARY