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.

MISSED EXETER DIGEST #52?

Read it on our website where you can catch up with all our recent stories and explore our archives.

More stories
Child on park bench

Ofsted finds Devon County Council children’s services remain “inadequate” with rating unchanged since 2020

Inspection report highlights “serious weaknesses” that are “leaving children at risk of harm” as failings echo poor Special Educational Needs & Disabilities provision.

Mid Devon District Council headquarters at Phoenix House in Tiverton

Mid Devon District Council mischarged 2,865 social housing tenants £15.5 million in rent over twenty years

Housing regulator identifies “serious failings” in application of rent standard as council discovers dozens of evictions in which “rent arrears were the sole, or contributory factor”.

Dartmoor wildfire on 5 May 2025, photo by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

Dartmoor National Park warns of continued high fire risk after wildfire destroys 1,230 acres of moorland

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service took nearly 24 hours to extinguish bank holiday weekend blaze that followed warning of uncontrolled moorland fire risk.

Former Firezza in Sidwell Street to become adult gaming centre

24 hour year-round Sidwell Street “adult gaming centre” allowed at appeal

Planning inspector finds no evidence that “increase in crime and disorder” or “serious detrimental impacts on the health of local residents” would result from change of use from restaurant and takeaway unit.

Haven Banks development illustrative aerial view

Twelve months temporary church use extension sought for Haven Banks Liveable Exeter development site units

Second year of “worship and ancillary uses” for retail park units to follow December 2023 planning approval for ultra-high density build-to-rent scheme for which neither planning permission nor consent notice yet published.

Exeter College in Hele Road

Petroc and Exeter College governors agree “merger in principle”

Further and higher education colleges with Barnstaple, Tiverton and several Exeter sites will now consider consequences of creating what would be largest college group in South West with public consultation due on plans before November decision.

On Our Radar
Pint of Science graphic

MONDAY 19 TO WEDNESDAY 21 MAY 2025

Pint of Science 2025

Three days of talks, demonstrations and live experiments by research scientists in city centre pubs.

EXETER CITY CENTRE

The New Exonians

FRIDAY 23 MAY 2025

The New Exonians

Inclusive Exeter documentary exploring the experiences of migrant communities in the city.

EXETER PHOENIX

Augustine Fogwoode in The Mushroom Show

MONDAY 26 MAY 2025

The Mushroom Show

Scratchworks Theatre Company combines interactive games, comedy and music to explore the fascinating world of fungi.

EMMANUEL HALL

Steve Tyler and Marco Cannavò

SATURDAY 31 MAY 2025

Love, Devotion and Harmonious Melodies

Steve Tyler and Marco Cannavò perform medieval music on historical instruments.

ST NICHOLAS PRIORY

Exeter Respect Festival

SATURDAY 7 & SUNDAY 8 JUNE 2025

Exeter Respect Festival 2025

The annual celebration of Exeter diversity returns for its 28th anniversary with live music and performance, food stalls, community and campaign groups.

BELMONT PARK

Exeter Custom House

SUNDAY 8 JUNE 2025

Heritage Harbour Festival 2025

The maritime-themed event returns for a third year with steam boats, exhibitions, talks, live music, film screenings and more.

EXETER QUAY