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THE EXETER DIGEST

Exeter Digest #53: Water Lane revisions - City council accounts - Exeter St Thomas access - Howell Road flip

With community and culture highlights for this weekend and later this month plus an invitation to an Exeter Observer event.

NEWS & ANALYSIS

Revised Water Lane redevelopment plans submitted for outline approval

Application for up to 980 dwellings and up to 320 student bedspaces with 40,000m2 of other uses on ex-industrial site between railway embankment and Exeter Ship Canal obfuscates numerous key issues. Full story here.

Annual inspection period begins as unaudited 2023-24 city council accounts published

Special information access rights enabling residents to examine records apply until 12 July as two preceding years’ accounts still not signed off and auditor’s inquiry into council governance and financial and performance management continues. Full story here.

Exeter St Thomas improvement bid rejected as Devon denied step-free access funding for five years

Two-thirds of Access for All money to go to Conservative seats as low-key Department for Transport announcement finds its way into constituency-level news stories and political PR across the country. Full story here.

Howell Road garage for sale a week after student block redevelopment plans granted at appeal

Developer denied he would ‘spin in and spin out and take my profit’ at planning committee that approved ‘backstop’ plans for nine flats on site, saying student block was ‘what we want to build’. Full story here.

THE INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM OUR CITY NEEDS

We’re hosting an informal event next 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 ~ THIS WEEKEND

Exeter Comedy Festival // City centre venues

Locally Sourced presents a festival featuring Mike Wozniak, Josie Long, John Hegley and many more. 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. 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. 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. More details here.

ON OUR RADAR ~ LATER THIS MONTH

Solstice celebration // Shillingford Organics

A seasonal celebration with farm tour, seasonal food, crafts, cakes and drinks. More details here.

Co-op Fortnight fair & fundraiser // Cowick Street

Stalls, activities, giveaways, cake and a fundraiser for children’s charity Barnardo’s. More details here.

Library Lates Windrush celebration // Exeter Library

A family-friendly Windrush Day celebration with music, poetry, dance, exhibitions and crafts. More details here.

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More stories
Exeter College and Petroc campuses map

Exeter College and Petroc merger set to create largest college group in South West

Colleges hold public consultation on creation of new organisation which they say would educate 16,000 students at Exeter and North Devon campuses and employ 2,000 staff with £100 million turnover.

Proposed Clarendon House student block aerial view

Proposals to replace Clarendon House with 297-bed student accommodation complex submitted for approval

Developer Zinc Real Estate arrives at final proposal for up to ten storey Paris Street roundabout redevelopment after nearly two years of informal public consultations and meetings with city councillors and officers.

Nadder Park Road application site location map

Barley Lane greenfield plans place persistent threat to Exeter’s north and north-west hills in spotlight

Council inability to identify sufficient land to meet government housing delivery targets leaves residents with faint hope of local plan policies preventing Nadder Park Road ridgeline development despite 175 public objections to scheme.

Exeter City Council 2024-25 unaudited statement of accounts cover image

Unaudited 2024-25 city council accounts published for annual inspection period

Special information access rights enabling residents to examine records apply until 6 October after asset revaluation delayed publication from 1 July to 26 August.

Illustrative elevation of proposed student block in Summerland Street, Exeter

Pre-application feedback sought on proposals for six storey Summerland Street student accommodation block

Redevelopment of Unit 1 nightclub and Best Tyre Auto Centre in Verney Street would add 180 beds to 1,575 student bedspaces in immediate area on top of 145 studios in consented but unbuilt Summerland Street “co-living” block.

, updated

Former Bramdean School playing field

McCarthy Stone set to build 36 retirement flats on Heavitree school playing field

Proposals prompting concerns about loss of green space and adverse impact on historic character of conservation area follow redevelopment of former Bramdean School in Homefield Road.

On Our Radar
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

Exeter Phoenix building

FRIDAY 12 SEPTEMBER TO SATURDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2025

Exeter Contemporary Open 2025

Annual exhibition featuring fifteen contemporary visual artists from across the UK.

EXETER PHOENIX

St Sidwell's Community Centre supper dish

SATURDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 2025

Sid’s Supper Fundraiser

Community centre hosts locally-sourced seasonal three-course meal to help improve café facilities.

ST SIDWELL'S COMMUNITY CENTRE