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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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Media made in Exeter

Exeter Observer is produced by a non-profit newsroom with two part-time staff: Leigh Curtis and Martin Redfern.

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More stories
Illustrative view of proposed co-living blocks from Heavitree Road

Heavitree Road police station student accommodation and “co-living” scheme consultation extended

Developers revise application for full planning permission for 813-bed seven-block complex submitted in May as similar proposals proliferate across city centre.

Boneyard arcade games

Unique retro games arcade to create new Sidwell Street venue after long search

Boneyard arcade seeking permission to change use of empty Brighthouse retail unit after making way for “co-living” block at previous Red Lion Lane location.

Proposed revised Mary Arches Bartholomew Street East co-living block elevation

Mary Arches “co-living” developer resists “miniscule” room size criticisms as design revisions prompt further consultation

Changes include increased building footprints and removal of twelve rooms to provide eleven communal kitchens – between residents of 297 studios – while gates obstruct pedestrian thoroughfare and site’s historic setting and significance essentially ignored.

September 2025 permitted replacement scheme west elevation

Council denies data and contrives criteria to dismiss community balance concerns in third King Billy student block approval

Exeter Observer analysis finds more students living in city centre than residents as council bid to include PBSA in housing delivery figures weakens local planning policy – but does not remove it from decision-making altogether.

, updated

Grace Road Fields in March

Botched consultation restarted on sale of 8.5 acres of Riverside Valley Park green space

Council land disposal to include rights to lay underground distribution pipework across River Exe floodplain following “low-to-zero carbon” Grace Road Fields heat plant planning approval in face of Environment Agency sequential test concerns.

On Our Radar
Jo Eades

FRIDAY 31 OCTOBER 2025

Spork! Dead Poets Slam 2025

Halloween spoken-word special featuring Jo Eades and Samuel L. Cohen with a £100 cash prize poetry slam.

EXETER PHOENIX

Carmen with rose graphic

SATURDAY 8 & SATURDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2025

Carmen

Exeter Opera Group performs Bizet’s tale of a free-spirited woman and her passionate and destructive love affair with a soldier.

EXETER CASTLE

Exeter Philharmonic Choir

SATURDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2025

The Weather Book

Exeter Philharmonic Choir performs a new weather-inspired work plus pieces by Brahms, Poulenc and Ralph Vaughan Williams.

EXETER CATHEDRAL