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
2024-25 Devon County Council locality budget community grants allocations by Exeter councillor

Heavitree & Whipton Barton community groups miss out on £14,600 after Danny Barnes fails to sign funding agreements

Voluntary sector grants now lost following 12% councillor attendance record highlighting need for by-elections in absentee cases.

Suspended Devon and Cornwall Police Chief Constable Will Kerr

Criminal investigation into suspended Devon & Cornwall Police Chief Constable dropped

Will Kerr to remain suspended while IOPC resumes previously paused conduct investigation and interim chief constable James Vaughan continues to lead force.

2024 duration in hours of monitored spill events at water company overflow sites bar graph

South West Water bills rise by a third following worst performance in sector with 550,000 hours of sewage spills

Tariffs increase as Environment Agency publishes damning data after South West Water owner Pennon Group issues £24.5 million in dividends to shareholders.

Devon & Torbay Combined County Authority inaugural meeting 19 March 2025

Devon & Torbay CCA sets sail for regional democratic deficit with £500,000 crew

Combined county authority throws public accountability overboard as future regional strategic governance body ratifies constitution at inaugural meeting but fails to explain why so many staff needed to deliver so little at such colossal cost.

Exeter Post Office in Guildhall Shopping Centre WHSmith

Sidwell Street Post Office to close as WHSmith shops sale raises risk of Exeter city centre counter service disappearance

Closure follows loss of Exeter’s last Crown Post Office in Bedford Street, since when all city branches operated by franchisees or independent businesses.

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On Our Radar
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

Tabatha Andrews sculpture

SATURDAY 26 APRIL TO SATURDAY 21 JUNE 2025

The Slightest Gesture

Sculptor and installation artist Tabatha Andrews presents a new immersive exhibition.

EXETER PHOENIX

Liberation in Venice 1945

SUNDAY 27 APRIL 2025

Festa Di Liberazione

Italian Cultural Association Exeter hosts a day of music, dance, poetry and Italian culture.

KALEIDER

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

Exeter Pride in Exeter High Street

SATURDAY 10 MAY 2025

Exeter Pride 2025

Exeter Pride returns for a celebration of LGBTQ+ diversity with a parade, marketplace, music, cabaret and more.

NORTHERNHAY GARDENS

Detail from Panorama of Prague from the Schönborn Garden

SATURDAY 10 MAY 2025

Czech Classics

Isca Ensemble and chorus perform a programme by Czech composer Antonín Dvořák.

EXETER CATHEDRAL