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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Read it on our website where you can also find all the news, analysis, comment, community and culture previews, newsletters and special reports we’ve published over the past five years.

More stories
Northbrook Swimming Pool campaign demonstration Exeter Guildhall 13 May 2025

Campaigners compel Exeter City Council to reconsider Northbrook pool closure with 2,250-strong resident petition

Pressure on council intensifies after freedom of information request responses confirm £3.5 million budget cuts included potentially unlawful decision to close swimming pool without public consultation or impact assessment.

Wild camping on Dartmoor

Supreme Court rejects Dartmoor landowners’ attempt to prevent wild camping on their land

Judges unanimously dismiss appeal by Alexander and Diana Darwall against 2023 ruling upholding Dartmoor Commons Act as campaigners call for enhanced public rights to access nature pledged by Labour when still in opposition.

Child on park bench

Ofsted finds Devon County Council children’s services remain “inadequate” with rating unchanged since 2020

Inspection report highlights “serious weaknesses” that are “leaving children at risk of harm” as failings echo poor Special Educational Needs & Disabilities provision.

Mid Devon District Council headquarters at Phoenix House in Tiverton

Mid Devon District Council mischarged 2,865 social housing tenants £15.5 million in rent over twenty years

Housing regulator identifies “serious failings” in application of rent standard as council discovers dozens of evictions in which “rent arrears were the sole, or contributory factor”.

Dartmoor wildfire on 5 May 2025, photo by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

Dartmoor National Park warns of continued high fire risk after wildfire destroys 1,230 acres of moorland

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service took nearly 24 hours to extinguish bank holiday weekend blaze that followed warning of uncontrolled moorland fire risk.

Former Firezza in Sidwell Street to become adult gaming centre

24 hour year-round Sidwell Street “adult gaming centre” allowed at appeal

Planning inspector finds no evidence that “increase in crime and disorder” or “serious detrimental impacts on the health of local residents” would result from change of use from restaurant and takeaway unit.

On Our Radar
Steve Tyler and Marco Cannavò

SATURDAY 31 MAY 2025

Love, Devotion and Harmonious Melodies

Steve Tyler and Marco Cannavò perform medieval music on historical instruments.

ST NICHOLAS PRIORY

Exeter Respect Festival

SATURDAY 7 & SUNDAY 8 JUNE 2025

Exeter Respect Festival 2025

The annual celebration of Exeter diversity returns for its 28th anniversary with live music and performance, food stalls, community and campaign groups.

BELMONT PARK

Exeter City Of Literature literary map

SUNDAY 8 JUNE 2025

The Book Market 2025

Exeter City of Literature event features independent booksellers from across the county with author talks, stalls, food and drink.

CATHEDRAL GREEN

Exeter Custom House

SUNDAY 8 JUNE 2025

Heritage Harbour Festival 2025

The maritime-themed event returns for a third year with steam boats, exhibitions, talks, live music, film screenings and more.

EXETER QUAY

Art Week Exeter 2025 graphic

MONDAY 9 TO SUNDAY 15 JUNE 2025

Art Week Exeter 2025

Festival returns with exhibitions, film screenings, talks, workshops, performances, social events and an art car boot sale.

EXETER CITY CENTRE

Pipe organ keyboard in St Mary's Church, Throwleigh by Andrew Abbott

SATURDAY 14 JUNE 2025

Lost and Found (Keyboards Revoiced)

Exeter Contemporary Sounds and Ian Summers perform works on rescued, repurposed and reimagined instruments.

EXETER LIBRARY