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
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.
We have so far published more than 1,000 news stories, features, investigations, community and culture previews, galleries, newsletters and special reports.
We work half of the week as volunteers and keep overheads low, serving nearly 2 million page views a year to 50,000 regular readers on a tiny budget.
If you think what we do is good for our city please upgrade to a paid Exeter Observer subscription from less than £2/week.
152 of the 300 paying subscribers we need to break even have signed up so far.
We can get there with your support. We hope you'll join us today.
Exeter City Council is about to seize the helm of Exe estuary maritime life: will it steer it onto the rocks?
Charges for waterways access are set to be imposed from the quay and canal basin to the coast under proposed Harbour Revision Order powers after six years of rising costs propelled by pursuit of Port Marine Safety Code compliance. They risk driving away craft of all sizes, from kayaks to yachts, while redevelopment threatens canalside land – but it’s not too late to change course.
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More stories
Devon County Council funding cuts set to reduce core library opening hours by 30%
Public consultation on changes explores possibility of closing some branches altogether despite claims to the contrary while Libraries Unlimited contract extension decision scheduled for six weeks before consultation ends.
Exeter City Council adds 813 more student and “co-living” beds to city “housing” supply with Heavitree Road approval
Complex of seven blocks up to six storeys tall on site of police station and magistrates court to bring purpose-built temporary accommodation tally to 3,250 beds in Newtown alone – while failing to meet local plan minimum building separation policy.
Exeter College and Petroc merger to go ahead in January
Further and higher education colleges with Barnstaple, Tiverton and several Exeter sites will become Exeter and North Devon Colleges Group after year-long process including public consultation showing two-thirds in support.
Exeter City Council approves 54 more dwellings in Topsham gap on former golf driving range
Greenfield development follows council approval of plans enabling driving range relocation to privately-owned land in Ludwell Valley Park.
St Petrock’s launches fundraising appeal as number of people sleeping rough in Exeter continues to rise
Campaign film underscores dedicated homelessness charity mission as demand for its support services grows.
McCarthy Stone amends Heavitree school playing field retirement complex plans to trigger second public consultation
Developer makes minor adjustments to proposals for 36 retirement flats which have prompted concerns about loss of green space and adverse impact on historic character of conservation area.
On Our Radar
TUESDAY 6 TO FRIDAY 30 JANUARY 2026
January Sessions
A programme of creative workshops, classes and events including poetry and music performances.
EXETER CITY CENTRE
FRIDAY 16 JANUARY 2026
Sidwell Street wassail
An evening wassail with music, singing and hot soup.
ST SIDWELL'S COMMUNITY CENTRE
TUESDAY 27 JANUARY 2026
My Heart Was a Tree
An evening of poetry and music with Michael Murpurgo to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Farms for City Children.
EXETER CATHEDRAL
Spotlight
Labour and Conservative councillors join forces to block Exeter city centre antisocial behaviour initiative
Rejection of voluntary and community sector calls for more inclusive response follows thirteen-year council failure to comply with legal duties under crime and disorder legislation in relation to Exeter Community Safety Partnership.
