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
Aerial view of Wonford community learning centre and sports centre

Plans for unfunded £7 million Wonford community hub redevelopment approved

Exeter City Council approves own planning application to demolish, rebuild and part-refurbish existing community and sports facilities beside Ludwell Valley Park.

Existing Exeter area parliamentary and district council boundaries map

Will Devon’s eleven councils find common ground as local authority reorganisation deadline looms?

A county-wide consensus is gaining traction with most Devon councils already on board and only Exeter City Council standing in its way while County Hall has yet to make up its mind.

Exeter bus corridors map keyframe

Devon County Council plans more bus priority schemes aimed at improving journey times in Exeter arterial roads

Schemes in Alphington Road, Barrack Road, Cowley Bridge Road, Honiton Road, Topsham Road and at Exe Bridges gyratory to follow Cowick Street, Heavitree Road, Pinhoe Road and New North Road changes.

Grace Road Fields Exeter Energy plant main building indicative render

Exeter Energy plant replaces rationale for Grace Road Fields location near River Exe with reliance on air source heat pumps

Developer nevertheless seeks planning permission to build in Riverside Valley Park, claiming public open space “not bound” by local plan policy, as scheme ambition and city council environmental leadership claims begin to drain away.

Heavitree and Whipton Active Streets Trial scheme map

Devon County Council admits Heavitree & Whipton Active Streets trial led to “lack of trust” in County Hall decision-making

Focus groups held following termination of controversial trial find broad support for safer travel but also reveal perception of “downward spiral” in Exeter highways management while county council confirms it has no plans for new schemes in area.

Devon County Council leader James McInnes

Devon County Council plan to postpone local elections fails as government rejects devolution fast-track application

County council leader James McInnes sought ministerial approval for proposals despite Devon falling short of devolution white paper eligibility criteria.

On Our Radar
Joukhainen's revenge by Akseli Gallen-Kallelan

FRIDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2025

Kalevala

Katy Cawkwell and fellow storytellers present tales from Finland’s national epic poem in Exeter’s oldest building.

ST NICHOLAS PRIORY

Exeter Seed Bank seed swap envelopes

SUNDAY 2 MARCH 2025

Exeter Seed Bank seed swap 2025

Third annual event also includes hands-on activities, stalls and displays with talks on composting, welcoming wildlife and community medicine gardens.

SIDWELL STREET

Exeter Bach Choir

SATURDAY 8 MARCH 2025

Exeter Bach Choir

A performance of Bach’s Mass in B Minor to celebrate the choir’s 30th anniversary.

EXETER CATHEDRAL