THE EXETER DIGEST

Exeter Digest #41: Clifton Hill & Mary Arches discounts - King Billy upended - Bus service cuts - St Luke’s redevelopment

Our top stories plus other news with curated cultural Christmas crackers including events at Exeter Custom House and the cathedral.

TOP STORIES

Revised proposals to sell council land for co-living and high-spec housing discount site viability issues

Council leader’s Clifton Hill and Mary Arches car park sale amendments agreed by Executive without discussing financial consequences, including multi-million pound value losses compelling sale of other assets to cover Exeter City Living debts. Full story here.

Sixth planning application for Longbrook Street development frames major changes to scheme as minor alterations while accompanying documents reveal unauthorised removal of protected 14th century structure near ancient city walls. Full story here.

OTHER NEWS

Exeter bus services cut by nearly 42% since 2010, largest fall in area

Many of worst-affected neighbourhoods in areas where major developments planned or being built, some in Heavitree & Whipton Active Streets trial area. Full story here.

University seeks views on St Luke’s campus redevelopment

Eleven acre teaching and research site between Heavitree Road and Magdalen Road to become ‘health and wellbeing’ campus and may include student accommodation. Full story here.

CHRISTMAS APPEAL

St Petrock’s Christmas appeal to raise funds to support its work with rough sleepers

Exeter homelessness charity’s fundraising campaign features short film exploring how it feels to be homeless. Read more here.

HELP US GROW

Share this newsletter with a friend and invite them to subscribe free.

ON OUR RADAR

Christmas at the Custom House // Exeter Custom House

A series of festive events including craft workshops, midwinter poetry and a performance by a local choir. To Saturday 16 December. More details here.

Five Children & It // Exeter Phoenix

Quirk Theatre presents a festive family-friendly adventure about a magical creature that grants wishes. Sunday 17 to Thursday 28 December. More details here.

Spork! Christmas special returns // Exeter Phoenix

Spork! presents poetry, comedy and live music from Elvis McGonagall, Josie Alford and BopaRhys, with carols from the Exeter Railway Band. Monday 18 December. More details here.

Viennese Christmas Spectacular // Exeter Cathedral

An evening of classical music by candlelight performed by chamber ensemble London Concertante. Friday 22 December. More details 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

MISSED EXETER DIGEST #40?

Read it on our website where you can help us reclaim local journalism from £8.50 per month.

More stories
Exeter territorial emissions vs linear trajectory to zero by 2030

University study finds decarbonisation slowing as city council continues to pursue failing Net Zero Exeter 2030 plan

Exeter also set to miss national 2050 target on current trajectory while aviation, shipping and other excluded scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions mean annual city carbon footprint likely to be triple territorial total.

Royal Clarence Hotel in September 2024

Paternoster House developer takes on Royal Clarence Hotel rebuild after sale agreement reached with previous owners

Completion of restoration plans for five floors of luxury flats above ground floor and basement commercial units scheduled for April 2027, more than decade after historic Cathedral Yard building burnt down.

Interim Devon & Cornwall Police Chief Constable James Vaughan

James Vaughan appointed as interim Devon & Cornwall Police Chief Constable

Appointment follows suspension of acting Chief Constable Jim Colwell, recruited following suspension of Chief Constable Will Kerr, as force pays salaries of all three.

Clarendon House proposals versus Exeter building heights comparison graphic

Revised proposals for 310-bed Clarendon House student accommodation complex remove six storeys from tallest block

Second informal consultation follows council decision that development does not require Environmental Impact Assessment.

Exeter City Council consultation charter

Multiple-choice survey on £3.5m budget cuts follows auditor criticism of council public consultation methods

Move to replace resident views on key decisions and policies with opinion polls and selective questionnaires follows serial failure to uphold own consultation charter.

On Our Radar
Winterwood trees graphic

SATURDAY 14 DECEMBER 2024 TO SUNDAY 5 JANUARY 2025

Winterwood

A family-friendly, interactive production set in a festive forest by Theatre Alibi, Angel Exit Theatre and Above Bounds.

EMMANUEL HALL

Luxmuralis' Time in Salisbury Cathedral interior

TUESDAY 7 TO SATURDAY 11 JANUARY 2025

Time

An immersive sound and light show by Luxmuralis that spans the dawn of time to the present day.

EXETER CATHEDRAL

St Nicholas Priory

SATURDAY 18 JANUARY 2025

Dido and Aeneas

A performance of Henry Purcell’s only true opera in Exeter’s oldest building.

ST NICHOLAS PRIORY