THE EXETER DIGEST

Exeter Digest #58: City council relocation - Harlequins redevelopment - Cowick Street bus lane

We return from the summer recess with a bumper edition for you to catch up with all the local news that matters and take your pick from a curated selection of community and culture events.

HEADLINES

Council cuts and post-pandemic working prompt downsizing plan as small offices replace Paris Street Citypoint vision

Proposed move to Guildhall shopping centre, Phoenix arts venue and Oakwood House intended to enable Civic Centre site redevelopment as council claims £100,000 costings report and capital spending to come at “no cost to council taxpayers”. Full story.

The first of eight pre-commencement planning conditions imposed by Exeter City Council on the redevelopment of Harlequins shopping centre has been discharged, with several others pending. Full story.

Cowick Street bus lane decision reversed

Devon County Council’s Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee has reversed its decision to introduce bus lane changes in Cowick Street. Full story.

EXETER IN BRIEF

Exeter St David’s railway heritage reprieved

Network Rail has confirmed that the former superintendent’s office at Exeter St David’s station will not now be demolished following timetable changes by train operator GWR. Read more.

Creative Arc seeks funding proposals

Exeter “place-based cultural solutions” vehicle Creative Arc is seeking final round funding proposals for city “innovation projects” that “create tangible, meaningful interventions” and can be delivered between October and March for less than £10,000. Read more.

Exeter St David’s station has least reliable passenger lifts in Devon

Exeter St David’s station has the least reliable passenger lifts in Devon, according to Network Rail figures, despite the availability of step-free access being limited to two of its six platforms. Read more.

Larkbeare House grounds listed

The grounds of Larkbeare House, which front onto the River Exe between Colleton Hill and The Port Royal public house, have been added to Historic England’s National Heritage List for England. Read more.

City council seeks elections polling arrangements feedback

Exeter City Council is inviting public comments on its local and general elections polling arrangements before the publication of review proposals in December. Read more.

Council falls for company content marketing materials - again

Exeter City Council has again used its official communications channels to promote company brands by repeating content marketing materials, this time for a global financial services corporation and a London-based multinational marketing firm. Read more.

Musgrave House flats to return to commercial use

Proposals to convert nine city centre housing association flats in Musgrave Row to commercial use have been submitted to Exeter City Council. Read more.

ON OUR RADAR

Brillsville Market // St Thomas

Regular community-run market that offers goods from local growers, makers and traders with a repair cafe and more. Saturday 14 September. More details.

Exeter Independent Market // Cathedral Green

Exeter Cathedral market returns with handmade crafts, clothing and accessories, local food and drink and live music. Saturday 14 September. More details.

Quayside Shanty Festival // Exeter Quay

Free one-day festival features shanties from Boscastle Buoys, Mariners Away, The Rusty Tubs and more. Saturday 14 September. More details.

365 Years of Purcell // Exeter Library

A free lunchtime concert to celebrate the composer’s work. Sunday 15 September. More details.

Kidical Mass rides again // Belmont Park

Kidical Mass Exeter is holding its eighth family bike ride as part of an ongoing campaign for safe cycling routes for children, young people and families. Sunday 22 September. More details.

Salmon Run 2024 // River Exe

Community runs along the River Exe highlighting the significance of salmon and the species’ relationship with the waterway. Sunday 29 September. More details.

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More stories
Royal Clarence Hotel in September 2024

Paternoster House developer takes on Royal Clarence Hotel rebuild after sale agreement reached with previous owners

Completion of restoration plans for five floors of luxury flats above ground floor and basement commercial units scheduled for April 2027, more than decade after historic Cathedral Yard building burnt down.

Interim Devon & Cornwall Police Chief Constable James Vaughan

James Vaughan appointed as interim Devon & Cornwall Police Chief Constable

Appointment follows suspension of acting Chief Constable Jim Colwell, recruited following suspension of Chief Constable Will Kerr, as force pays salaries of all three.

Clarendon House proposals versus Exeter building heights comparison graphic

Revised proposals for 310-bed Clarendon House student accommodation complex remove six storeys from tallest block

Second informal consultation follows council decision that development does not require Environmental Impact Assessment.

Exeter City Council consultation charter

Multiple-choice survey on £3.5m budget cuts follows auditor criticism of council public consultation methods

Move to replace resident views on key decisions and policies with opinion polls and selective questionnaires follows serial failure to uphold own consultation charter.

Frasers Group Paris Street and Sidwell Street leaseholds after Princesshay sale

Council aims at Frasers Group Citypoint partnership after retail leaseholds sold as part of Princesshay deal

Mike Ashley-owned sports goods and retail group became Paris Street and Sidwell Street landlord in October, prompting council to rethink options for former bus station and revisit comprehensive redevelopment of wider site stalled since 2017.

On Our Radar
Winterwood trees graphic

SATURDAY 14 DECEMBER 2024 TO SUNDAY 5 JANUARY 2025

Winterwood

A family-friendly, interactive production set in a festive forest by Theatre Alibi, Angel Exit Theatre and Above Bounds.

EMMANUEL HALL

Dayzee and the World of Tomorrow graphic

SUNDAY 15 TO SATURDAY 28 DECEMBER 2024

Dayzee and the World of Tomorrow

Quirk Theatre presents a festive family-friendly adventure about a magical future.

EXETER PHOENIX

It's a Wonderful Life

FRIDAY 20 TO TUESDAY 24 DECEMBER 2024

Christmas Carol movies

A trio of festive films based on A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

EXETER PHOENIX