Stories by Martin Redfern
Heavitree Road police station and magistrates court redevelopment appeal dismissed
Devon & Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner and offshore development partner sent back to drawing board after attempt to overturn city council decision to refuse two huge student/co-living blocks fails.
Council plans huge allotment fees increases to claw back cash from 1,500 city gardeners and growers
Plot holders provided with incomplete picture as consultation held which does not comply with council’s own charter and delayed scrutiny report that omits key survey findings suggests council aims to turn profit from allotment provision.
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Devon County Council adopts charging strategy that provides for only 20% of EVs it expects by 2030
Local ULEV ownership has risen rapidly in recent years but many more vehicles have joined county’s roads as local transport area ULEV growth lags behind rest of country and Exeter motor vehicle numbers alone top 87,000.
City council scrutiny board enabling illicit obstruction of democracy
Essential safeguard against misuse of power misdirected by Executive members and senior officers while backbench councillors persistently denied rights to examine high-risk schemes and citywide climate crisis response.
Revised proposals to sell council land for co-living and high-spec housing discount site viability issues
Council leader’s Clifton Hill and Mary Arches car park sale amendments agreed by Executive without discussing financial consequences, including multi-million pound value losses compelling sale of other assets to cover Exeter City Living debts.
Medieval wall demolition discovered on King Billy site as developers seek to upend student block consent
Sixth planning application for Longbrook Street development frames major changes to scheme as minor alterations while accompanying documents reveal unauthorised removal of protected 14th century structure near ancient city walls.