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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
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