THE EXETER DIGEST

Exeter Digest #61: Devolution deal approved - Decarbonisation plan dumped - Heavitree Road student/co-living redux

Other stories include central and eastern corridor bus lane changes and a St Bridget Nurseries planning appeal, with a curated selection of community and culture events.

NEWS & COMMENT

Government approves new Devon local government layer but says it still wants elected mayor

Devon & Torbay Combined County Authority expected to be first step towards regional governance structure as Institute for Government recommends absorption of Plymouth – and even Cornwall – into South West peninsula devolution deal. Read more.

Developer appeals St Bridget Nurseries non-determination following High Court rejection of previous planning approval

Second Waddeton Park application for controversial site remains undecided after city and county councils both criticised by judge for failing to discharge duties. Read more.

£7.3 million RAMM and Riverside Leisure Centre decarbonisation scheme to be scrapped

City council says neither project deliverable within required timeframe or budget and that it hopes to recover £550,000 so far spent. Read more.

Devon County Council holds second consultation on Heavitree Road, Honiton Road and Pinhoe Road bus lane changes

Statutory consultation on proposed changes including bus lane operation times and removal of parking spaces follows informal consultation earlier this year. Read more.

New Heavitree Road police station site student accommodation and “co-living” redevelopment plans published

Public comment sought on pre-application proposals for 738 rooms in eight blocks with ground floor commercial space following February appeal dismissal of previous 955-room scheme. Read more.

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ON OUR RADAR

Exeter Contemporary Open 2024 // Exeter Phoenix

Annual exhibition featuring fifteen contemporary visual artists from across the UK. 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. More details.

An Evening with Guy Shrubsole // Waterstones

Local writer and campaigner discusses his new book about landownership in Britain. More details.

Brillsville Market // St Thomas

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

Folk music night // Daily Bowl

Live music, food and drinks at regular Friday night event. More details.

Isca Ensemble 2024 celebration concert // Exeter Cathedral

An evening of classical music celebrating the life of Joanna Leach with soloist Kacper Nowak in aid of local charity Hospicare. More details.

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More stories
Northbrook swimming pool

City council holds sham Northbrook swimming pool closure consultation

£600,000 Exeter Leisure services budget cut signed off two weeks before pool consultation opened as St Sidwell’s Point drains other council leisure sites.

Met Office building at Exeter Science Park

Met Office to sell Exeter Science Park supercomputer and office buildings

Disposal motivated by replacement of nine year-old supercomputer with £1.2 billion government-funded off-site Microsoft facility.

St Petrock's outreach workers with a rough sleeper

Annual city council rough sleeper count “consistently underestimates” extent of Exeter rough sleeping

Homelessness charity St Petrock’s calls on council to change count methodology which identifies fewer rough sleepers than those known by outreach workers and reflected in government figures.

Devon County Council budget meeting 20 February 2025

Devon County Council reveals perilous financial state with SEND spending having “significant impact” on cash balances

5.9% budget increase for 2025-26 conceals £22 million cuts and £66 million cost increases with “inevitable” impact on “vital” services.

Grace Road Fields March 2025

Exeter Energy insists Riverside Valley Park only viable heat plant site but fails to explain Marsh Barton brownfield rejection

Company admits River Exe water source connection merely “potential” after 2036, incinerator connection only “possible” after 2030 and solar array “will not” meet plant electricity demand while statutory objections challenge Grace Road Fields plans.

Exeter Community Lottery revenue distribution FAQ

Exeter Community Lottery income spent on gambling licence fees and costs despite council marketing and point of sale claims

Materially misleading claims that 60% of ticket sales revenue goes to good causes repeatedly made on lottery website and in official council communications as Australian multinational profits from local voluntary and community sector support.

On Our Radar
Titus Andronicus by Nicholas Rowe

THURSDAY 3 APRIL 2025

Titus Andronicus

Lightbear Lane hosts a reading of Shakespeare’s bloody revenge tale.

ST NICHOLAS PRIORY

Jess Hughes Cameron and Chin See at 2024 Topsham Music Festival

FRIDAY 25 TO SUNDAY 27 APRIL 2025

2025 Topsham Music Festival

Three day event features jazz, percussion and classical music played by young professional musicians from across the country.

TOPSHAM

Edward Tripp

TUESDAY 29 APRIL 2025

City Slam 2025

Exeter City of Literature, Taking the Mic and Spork! co-host a third city-wide spoken-word poetry competition.

EXETER PHOENIX