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THE EXETER DIGEST

Exeter Digest #55: 2024 general elections special

Our guides cover predictions in both Exeter constituencies plus Labour manifesto promises, limitations and likely local impacts as well as when, where and how to vote and constituency boundary changes.

GENERAL ELECTIONS SPECIAL

Exeter and Exmouth & Exeter East 2024 general elections guide

Steve Race is sure to be the new Exeter MP, but the outcome in newly-created Exmouth & Exeter East is much less certain. Our guide covers predictions in both constituencies and Labour manifesto promises, limitations and likely local impacts. Read it here.

When, where and how to vote in the 2024 Exeter and Exmouth & Exeter East general elections

Our guide to casting your ballot in person, by post and by proxy as well as voter ID requirements, new regulations for postal votes and constituency boundary changes. Read it here.

ON OUR RADAR

The Gift of Nearness // Exeter Phoenix

An exhibition of recent paintings by local artist Janet Sainsbury. More details here.

Brillsville Market // St Thomas

Regular community-run market that offers goods from local growers, makers and traders with a repair cafe and more. More details here.

Fore Street Flea // Fore Street

Market with stalls selling vintage items, handmade craft, food and drink plus live music from local artists. More details here.

MISSED EXETER DIGEST #54?

Read it on our website where you can catch up with all our recent public interest publishing and explore our archive of more than 550 news stories, features, investigations, community and culture previews, newsletters and special reports.

Media made in Exeter

Exeter Observer is produced by a non-profit newsroom with two part-time staff: Leigh Curtis and Martin Redfern.

Since we launched from our kitchen table in April 2019 we have published more than 1,000 news stories, features, investigations, community and culture previews, galleries, newsletters and special reports.

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If you think what we do is good for our city please upgrade to a paid Exeter Observer subscription from less than £2/week.

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More stories
Illustrative view of proposed co-living blocks from Heavitree Road

Heavitree Road police station student accommodation and “co-living” scheme consultation extended

Developers revise application for full planning permission for 813-bed seven-block complex submitted in May as similar proposals proliferate across city centre.

Boneyard arcade games

Unique retro games arcade to create new Sidwell Street venue after long search

Boneyard arcade seeking permission to change use of empty Brighthouse retail unit after making way for “co-living” block at previous Red Lion Lane location.

Proposed revised Mary Arches Bartholomew Street East co-living block elevation

Mary Arches “co-living” developer resists “miniscule” room size criticisms as design revisions prompt further consultation

Changes include increased building footprints and removal of twelve rooms to provide eleven communal kitchens – between residents of 297 studios – while gates obstruct pedestrian thoroughfare and site’s historic setting and significance essentially ignored.

September 2025 permitted replacement scheme west elevation

Council denies data and contrives criteria to dismiss community balance concerns in third King Billy student block approval

Exeter Observer analysis finds more students living in city centre than residents as council bid to include PBSA in housing delivery figures weakens local planning policy – but does not remove it from decision-making altogether.

, updated

Grace Road Fields in March

Botched consultation restarted on sale of 8.5 acres of Riverside Valley Park green space

Council land disposal to include rights to lay underground distribution pipework across River Exe floodplain following “low-to-zero carbon” Grace Road Fields heat plant planning approval in face of Environment Agency sequential test concerns.

On Our Radar
Jo Eades

FRIDAY 31 OCTOBER 2025

Spork! Dead Poets Slam 2025

Halloween spoken-word special featuring Jo Eades and Samuel L. Cohen with a £100 cash prize poetry slam.

EXETER PHOENIX

Carmen with rose graphic

SATURDAY 8 & SATURDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2025

Carmen

Exeter Opera Group performs Bizet’s tale of a free-spirited woman and her passionate and destructive love affair with a soldier.

EXETER CASTLE

Exeter Philharmonic Choir

SATURDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2025

The Weather Book

Exeter Philharmonic Choir performs a new weather-inspired work plus pieces by Brahms, Poulenc and Ralph Vaughan Williams.

EXETER CATHEDRAL