THE EXETER DIGEST

Exeter Digest #52: Active travel test - Howell Road PBSA - Crankhouse Coffee scheme

Upcoming community and culture highlights include four festivals and a book market plus an invitation to hear more about our plans to expand our team.

NEWS & ANALYSIS

Plan to convert language school to nursery to test credibility of city council active travel policy

Exeter Academy sits near top of steep hill 250 feet above city, far from accessible bus and rail routes, but developer claims local plan compliance in ‘demonstrably sustainable location’ which is ‘conducive to sustainable modes of travel’. Full story here.

26-bed Howell Road garage site student accommodation block allowed at appeal

St James Neighbourhood Plan community balance aims discounted and council policy and evidence deemed insufficient in inspector’s decision to overturn planning committee refusal. Full story here.

Developers claim council planning committee refusal was ‘if not malevolent, certainly misguided’

Appeal against decision to deny fifth additional storey in build-to-rent scheme above Crankhouse Coffee accuses councillors of seeking to ‘appease the weight of objectors’ orchestrated opinion’ against amendments to eleven year-old consent. Full story here.

INVITATION

The independent journalism our city needs

We’re hosting an informal event on Wednesday 12 June to share our plans to deliver all the local news that matters.

It includes a short presentation followed by a Q&A in the round with time for ad hoc discussion afterwards.

We will outline Exeter Observer’s development over the past twelve months, explain why what we’re doing is needed more than ever and explore how we might grow with the help of our spring 2024 community share offer.

Places are limited so please register to secure a spot.

ON OUR RADAR

Poltimore Festival 2024 // Poltimore House

A two-day outdoor festival featuring live music, workshops, food stalls, secret cinema and a craft market. Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 May. More details here.

Exeter Comedy Festival // Exeter city centre venues

Locally Sourced presents a two-day festival featuring Mike Wozniak, Josie Long, John Hegley and many more. Friday 7 & Saturday 8 June. More details here.

Exeter Respect Festival // Belmont Park

The annual celebration of Exeter diversity returns for its 27th year with live music and performance, food stalls, community and campaign groups. Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 June. More details here.

Heritage Harbour Festival // Exeter Quay

The maritime-themed festival returns for a second year with tours, boat trips, films, workshops, music and more. Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 June. More details here.

The Book Market // Cathedral Green

Exeter City of Literature event features independent booksellers from across the county plus literary activities, food and drink and more. Sunday 9 June. More details here.

MISSED EXETER DIGEST #51?

Read it on our website for in-depth analysis of Exeter’s local elections plus full details of the results.

More stories
2024-25 Devon County Council locality budget community grants allocations by Exeter councillor

Heavitree & Whipton Barton community groups miss out on £14,600 after Danny Barnes fails to sign funding agreements

Voluntary sector grants now lost following 12% councillor attendance record highlighting need for by-elections in absentee cases.

Suspended Devon and Cornwall Police Chief Constable Will Kerr

Criminal investigation into suspended Devon & Cornwall Police Chief Constable dropped

Will Kerr to remain suspended while IOPC resumes previously paused conduct investigation and interim chief constable James Vaughan continues to lead force.

2024 duration in hours of monitored spill events at water company overflow sites bar graph

South West Water bills rise by a third following worst performance in sector with 550,000 hours of sewage spills

Tariffs increase as Environment Agency publishes damning data after South West Water owner Pennon Group issues £24.5 million in dividends to shareholders.

Devon & Torbay Combined County Authority inaugural meeting 19 March 2025

Devon & Torbay CCA sets sail for regional democratic deficit with £500,000 crew

Combined county authority throws public accountability overboard as future regional strategic governance body ratifies constitution at inaugural meeting but fails to explain why so many staff needed to deliver so little at such colossal cost.

Exeter Post Office in Guildhall Shopping Centre WHSmith

Sidwell Street Post Office to close as WHSmith shops sale raises risk of Exeter city centre counter service disappearance

Closure follows loss of Exeter’s last Crown Post Office in Bedford Street, since when all city branches operated by franchisees or independent businesses.

Exeter local elections campaign materials

Help hold Devon’s political parties and politicians to account during the 2025 local elections

Send us any campaign materials you receive so we can fact-check candidates’ claims and hold them to their pledges after the votes have been counted.

On Our Radar
Jess Hughes Cameron and Chin See at 2024 Topsham Music Festival

FRIDAY 25 TO SUNDAY 27 APRIL 2025

2025 Topsham Music Festival

Three day event features jazz, percussion and classical music played by young professional musicians from across the country.

TOPSHAM

Tabatha Andrews sculpture

SATURDAY 26 APRIL TO SATURDAY 21 JUNE 2025

The Slightest Gesture

Sculptor and installation artist Tabatha Andrews presents a new immersive exhibition.

EXETER PHOENIX

Liberation in Venice 1945

SUNDAY 27 APRIL 2025

Festa Di Liberazione

Italian Cultural Association Exeter hosts a day of music, dance, poetry and Italian culture.

KALEIDER

Edward Tripp

TUESDAY 29 APRIL 2025

City Slam 2025

Exeter City of Literature, Taking the Mic and Spork! co-host a third city-wide spoken-word poetry competition.

EXETER PHOENIX

Exeter Pride in Exeter High Street

SATURDAY 10 MAY 2025

Exeter Pride 2025

Exeter Pride returns for a celebration of LGBTQ+ diversity with a parade, marketplace, music, cabaret and more.

NORTHERNHAY GARDENS

Detail from Panorama of Prague from the Schönborn Garden

SATURDAY 10 MAY 2025

Czech Classics

Isca Ensemble and chorus perform a programme by Czech composer Antonín Dvořák.

EXETER CATHEDRAL