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THE EXETER DIGEST

Exeter Digest #57: PCC defies panel - Musgrave Row pedestrian zone - Police underperforming

With a selection of Exeter Observer stories from the past twelve months to keep you ticking over during the summer recess.

NEWS & ANALYSIS

Devon and Cornwall PCC defies Police and Crime Panel to appoint former Torbay colleague as deputy

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez announced decision to hire Mark Kingscote on same day panel voted against appointment because ‘candidate does not meet the minimum requirements of the post’. Full story here.

Musgrave Row pedestrian zone marred by moving traffic offences

Survey suggests 30,000 prohibited private cars pass through street each year as a result of confusing signage, inconsistent restrictions and lack of enforcement. Full story here.

Devon & Cornwall Police inspection finds force underperforming in half of areas assessed

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary Fire and Rescue Services has ‘serious concerns’ over investigations management and says force still needs to reduce response times despite ‘significant efforts to improve’. Full story here.

24 stories for the 2024 summer recess

24 STORIES FOR THE 2024 SUMMER RECESS

The Exeter Observer team is taking a short break from publishing over the summer recess to carry out essential website maintenance and development work.

We’ve picked 24 stories from the past twelve months to keep you ticking over until our return in September. 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