Peter Cleasby

Peter Cleasby is Exeter Observer’s transport correspondent.

After reading French and German at New College, Oxford he entered the civil service where he worked largely in policy development and business management across several departments, ending up as a deputy director in DEFRA.

On leaving the civil service, he freelanced as a policy, management and governance consultant and became a trustee of several national and local charities.

He is also a long-standing member of Exeter Green Party.

Stories by Peter Cleasby
Positive Light Projects - Sidwell Street entrance

Positive Light Projects opens community arts centre despite Citypoint redevelopment threat

Parts of Exeter city centre are experiencing an unplanned renaissance as small shops and cultural venues move in to fill empty units on Paris Street and Sidwell Street, but uncertainty remains as the council still plans to demolish and redevelop.

Centre for Cities Exeter City Monitor graphic

Selective use of statistics presents an unbalanced account of Exeter’s economic & environmental status

Exeter City Council’s Chief Executive uses statistics to show the city in a good light, but in doing so presents a picture which omits important information about the city’s true position.

Maclaines Warehouses beside Exeter ship canal

Maclaines Warehouses development tests Exeter Heritage Harbour status

Decisions taken behind closed doors in favour of commercial interests threaten maritime and waterway heritage vision for Exeter’s historic quay and canal basin.

Exeter Guildhall needs repairs

£37.5 million council maintenance backlog caused by underinvestment to be part-funded by asset sales

Exeter City Council has allowed property assets to deteriorate while prioritising new schemes including the £44 million St Sidwell’s Point leisure centre, forcing it to identify assets for sale to pay its outstanding repair bills.

Exeter City Council offices on Paris Street

Council pushes back on Liveable Exeter Place Board scrutiny following membership change

Exeter City Council has responded to an enquiry about disproportionate Church of England representation on the Liveable Exeter Place Board by accusing Exeter Observer of promoting a ‘partisan narrative’ and claiming our public interest reporting ‘bears no resemblance to fact’.

Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital Wonford NHS Trust parking sign

Hospital creates parking for 200 cars despite city climate crisis goals

Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital says new parking “temporary” but no end-date given in planning application and no hard evidence of need provided.

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