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
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