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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
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