THE EXETER DIGEST

Exeter Digest #34: Howell Road garages - Home Office fail - St James co-living block - CIL charges - Water Lane plans - Just Stop Oil

Our top stories plus local news that matters with planning updates, public consultations and curated community and culture events.

TOP STORIES

City council grants Howell Road garage flats permission despite pending PBSA appeal on same site

Developer still aims to build student accommodation block saying flats would be “backstop” against loss of appeal while St James residents concerned students will occupy development either way. Full story here.

Home Office fails in bid to shut down local restaurant

Hearing following December immigration raid revokes premises supervisor’s authority and briefly suspends but stops short of revoking premises licence. Full story here.

101-bed co-living complex proposed in the heart of St James

Council vision for city’s future on collision course with neighbourhood plan policies in Victoria Street scheme described as “yet more student housing by stealth”. Full story here.

New Community Infrastructure Levy charges to be introduced by city council

Charges levied on most new development towards the cost of infrastructure that is needed to mitigate its impact are to change in line with council proposals that discount co-living development to facilitate its delivery. Full story here.

Water Lane redevelopment outline plans submitted to city council for approval

Up to 980 dwellings and 40,000m2 of other uses including student accommodation, workspace, education, retail and a hotel envisaged on ex-industrial site between railway embankment and the canal. Full story here.

Just Stop Oil protests arrive in Exeter

Slow march from Sidwell Street to Northernhay Gardens first action in city by group calling for end to UK fossil fuel exploration, development and production. Full story here.

EXETER IN BRIEF

Exeter City Futures board minutes published nearly nine months after meeting held

Minutes confirm Global City Futures work on Exeter Development Fund continues via direct city council contract framework and suggest university could retain brand after company dissolution. Read more here.

Pendragon Road development of 100 greenfield homes in Exeter’s northern hills allowed at appeal

City council decision to refuse outline permission overturned by planning inspector citing 50% affordable housing provision and housing supply shortfall. Read more here.

Exeter St David’s station manager’s office to be demolished

Network Rail has notified the city council that it plans to demolish the former superintendent’s office building at Exeter St David’s station in October. Read more here.

Council-owned property development company to be dissolved

Mid Devon District Council is expected to wind up 3 Rivers Developments Ltd, a failing property development company it set up in 2017 and has since loaned more than £21 million. Read more here.

Subscribe to The Exeter Digest - Exeter Observer's essential free email newsletter

Your personal information will be processed and stored in accordance with our Privacy Policy

ON OUR RADAR

Climate exhibition 2023 // Maketank

Exeter Science Centre presents talks, activities and virtual reality experiences focussed on climate modelling. Until Sunday 10 September. More details here.

Exeter tomato festival // The Daily Bowl

Seed Bank celebration includes a blind taste test, workshops, music, face painting and a tomato-based lunch. Sunday 10 September. More details here.

The Real Onedin Line Redux // Exeter Quay

Art Work Exeter presents an exploration of Exeter’s quayside including the restaging of scenes from a 1970s BBC drama filmed on location at the quay. Until Monday 11 September. More details here.

ON THE AGENDA

Plans for eighteen “zero carbon” bungalows on Church Hill field submitted for approval

Low density development proposal on unallocated site above Pinhoe conflicts with local plan policies intended to protect Exeter’s northern hills and landscape setting. More details here.

Plans for PBSA in back garden of Pennsylvania Road student HMO submitted for approval

Application for six-bed two-storey block cites neighbouring student block in back garden beside Devonshire Place orchard and play area as precedent. More details here.

Annual inspection period begins as unaudited 2022-23 city council accounts published

Special information access rights enabling local residents to examine records and ask council and external auditor related questions apply until 12 October. More details here.

New Heavitree & Whipton Active Streets scheme public exhibitions

Devon County Council is holding two further public exhibitions of the Heavitree & Whipton active streets scheme from 4.30-6.30pm on 12 September at Whipton Community Hall and at the same time on 14 September at St Mark’s Church Hall. More details here.

Public consultation on county council moving traffic offence enforcement powers

Devon County Council is holding a public consultation until 18 September on its plans to adopt moving traffic offence enforcement powers and introduce Automatic Number Place Recognition (ANPR) cameras. More details here.

City council invites comments on digital customer service transformation

Exeter City Council is inviting comments until 15 September on a draft digital customer service strategy that aims to make more efficient use of council resources by increasing its reliance on digital technology for service delivery. More details here.

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