THE EXETER DIGEST

Exeter Digest #65: Vaughan Road flats vs Buddle Lane Easiforms - Pennsylvania Road PBSA appeal - Hotel Indigo sale

With our pick of local community and culture events and a recap of our top stories from the previous edition.

TOP STORIES

Council to mothball Exeter City Living Vaughan Road flats after first phase leaving £2.75m groundworks fenced off

Twelve year-old plan to rebuild remaining pre-war Laing’s Easiform council houses in Buddle Lane estate to be seen through to completion instead, as undelivered local housing promises finally collide with reality. Read more.

Plan for student accommodation block in back garden of 17-bed Pennsylvania Road HMO dismissed at appeal

City council planning consent refusal upheld by inspector in decision citing existing community balance policy that is not retained in proposed new Exeter Local Plan. Read more.

Singapore hospitality group buys Hotel Indigo Exeter for £19.4 million

Sale of converted House of Fraser department store announced one week after Frasers Group purchase of adjacent Princesshay shopping centre. Read more.

ON OUR RADAR

The Four Seasons & The Lark Ascending // Exeter Cathedral

An evening of classical music by candlelight performed by London Concertante. More details.

Poltimore Christmas markets // Poltimore House and Grounds

Four weekend festive markets with stalls selling local arts and crafts. More details.

War Horse concert // Exeter Cathedral

Michael Morpurgo reading an abridged version of his best-known work, accompanied by musician Ben Murray. More details.

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EXETER DIGEST #64 RECAP

Exeter College ploughs on with Flowerpot Fields classrooms construction amid mounting public anger

Exeter Civic Society cites Court of Appeal judgements to challenge legality of unapproved River Valley Park scheme revisions as protestors disrupt Exeter City Council Guildhall meeting. Read more.

Topsham gap greenfield development application submitted for approval

Proposals for 54 dwellings on Exeter Golf and Country Club Topsham Golf Academy driving range enabled by city council approval of replacement driving range in Ludwell Valley Park. Read more.

Exeter Business Improvement District seeks third five-year term to April 2030

Eligible city centre businesses to decide by ballot whether InExeter should continue providing services and support in return for 1.25% levy charged against premises with £7,500+ rateable value. Read more.

New rules compel Stagecoach South West to introduce real-time onboard bus journey information

Around 40% of company’s Exeter fleet requires accessibility improvements including automated screens and announcements by next October, with remainder due in following twelve months. Read more.

More stories
Exeter Energy heat plant indicative render north elevation

Exeter City Council disregards national planning policy and Environment Agency criticism to approve Riverside Valley Park flood zone heat plant plans

Five gas boilers to provide 80% of “low-to-zero carbon” Grace Road Fields plant generation capacity for distribution to institutional consumers through privately-run 13-mile underground network expected to take ten years to complete.

University of Exeter West Park redevelopment demolition block plan

West Park redevelopment demolitions to proceed to enable intrusive unexploded ordnance surveys before works can begin

Five year-old University of Exeter plans to provide 2,000 new student bedspaces in blocks up to nine storeys tall by demolishing up to 30 buildings on fifteen acre Streatham campus site about to take seismic step towards delivery.

His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary Fire and Rescue Services logo

HMICFRS identifies sufficient Devon & Cornwall Police improvements to return force to routine monitoring

Inspectorate decision follows nearly three years of enhanced monitoring after force found inadequate in three of nine areas and requiring improvement in two more, but says “still work to do” in crime recording standards and investigations management.

Devon & Cornwall Police deputy chief constable Jim Colwell, previous chief constable Will Kerr and interim chief constable James Vaughan

Devon & Cornwall Police deputy chief constable Jim Colwell receives 18-month misconduct warning

Outcome of Independent Office for Police Conduct investigation delivered day before retirement of suspended chief constable Will Kerr announced, with Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez unwilling to say whether “golden handshake” agreed.

Newtown active travel scheme map

Newtown active travel scheme approved after four years of public consultations

Joint Devon County Council and Exeter City Council project includes road closure, car parking changes and contraflow Clifton Hill cycle lane.

On Our Radar
Summer at the Quayside illustration

TUESDAY 29 JULY TO FRIDAY 29 AUGUST 2025

Summer at the Quayside

A month of free family activities including weaving, felting, doodling and drumming.

EXETER QUAY

Exeter Street Arts Festival mural painting

SATURDAY 30 AUGUST 2025

Exeter Street Arts Festival 2025

The annual festival returns with street art, drumming, dance, workshops, walkabouts and live music.

EXETER CITY CENTRE

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