Martin Redfern

Martin Redfern is editor of Exeter Observer and a director of its publisher Exeter Observer Limited.

He writes many of our news stories and features, leads on investigations and maintains the Exeter Observer website.

Martin is an accredited UK press card holder, a member of the Chartered Institute of Journalists and the Society of Editors and holds a masters degree in Journalism with distinction at Birkbeck, University of London.

Stories by Martin Redfern

Exeter City Council outline draft local plan site allocations crop

Will council seek investment zone status for Liveable Exeter sites?

Government growth plans combine tax breaks with planning deregulation, putting affordable housing provision and environmental protections at risk with little evidence that promised investment zone benefits would result.

Exeter City Council government borrowing 2014-2022 bar chart

Council borrowing nearly triples in three years as property acquisition and development loans mount

Freedom of information request reveals five paragraph “outline business plan” for £55 million Guildhall shopping centre investment.

New Exeter local plan cover

New Exeter Local Plan outline draft consultation

Our guide to Exeter City Council’s consultation as well as the national planning system reform threatening major changes that would require significant revision to the new plan before its submission to the planning inspectorate.

, updated

Extinction Rebellion UK tour bus outside Exeter City Council's Paris Street offices

World car free day ignored in Exeter as Extinction Rebellion challenges council climate inaction

Protestors gathered outside council offices as CEO Karime Hassan posed for photo with construction company development manager at Princesshay promotion.

The Gorge co-living block classic studio room floorplan

First Exeter “co-living” block comes on stream with rooms at £946pcm+

Even “affordable” rooms in six storey 133-unit Gladstone Road block would leave many local key workers living below minimum income threshold.

Summerland Street co-living block redevelopment site

Council paves way for 186-bed “co-living” block in Summerland Street

Freedom of information request reveals intended scale of development after executive committee takes decision behind closed doors.

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