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South West Water receives £7.9 million fine for “horrendous” pollution over six years of “reckless” management failures
Judge finds company sought to minimise role instead of accepting full responsibility and expressing remorse for eighteen criminal offences in Devon and Cornwall.
Devon & Cornwall Police monitoring level increased again by police inspectorate
Police and crime commissioner Alison Hernandez says she has “full confidence” in chief constable James Vaughan two weeks after confirming he will lead force until August 2028 as HMICFRS highlights leadership and safeguarding failings.
Features
Stories that explore key issues behind the headlines
£12 million Trew’s Weir reconstruction recast as £2 million repair
Exeter quay and canal water levels and electricity supply to thousands of city centre residents and businesses depend on survival of deteriorating weir with estimated 1-5 year lifespan.
Sixteen stories for the 2026 summer recess
Catch up with a selection of Exeter Observer stories from the past twelve months while the team takes a short break from publishing to carry out essential maintenance and development work.
Former South West Water CEO receives £2.8 million – including two bonuses – following Brixham parasite outbreak
Pennon Group report shows Susan Davy received almost £6.8 million – including “personal security-related allowance” – during five years and five months as company CEO before December 2025 departure – then another £845,000.
St Petrock’s homelessness survey finds increase in women sleeping rough in Exeter
Charity says women’s homelessness often hidden from view because of “fears around safety, harassment, and gender-based violence” in report following publication of city council snapshot count which recorded five-fold rise in rough sleeper numbers.
Comment
Analysis and opinion that cuts through the noise
A379 bridges replacement plan set to wreck Exeter Ship Canal, heritage harbour and towpath active travel aspirations
Department for Transport project cost cap defeats purpose of investment as Devon County Council consults on design which will build in routine traffic disruption for 60+ years on route intended to deliver strategic road network resilience.
Exeter city centre strategy evasions and expediencies echo cultural strategy failings
Just 85 invitation-only workshop attendees consulted during development of yet another city council strategy without a delivery plan.
Clueless Exeter cultural strategy fails to address challenges facing city’s “increasingly untenable” creative sector
Survey inviting feedback on city council word salad arrives two years late, following second UK City of Culture bid failure, with delivery plan outsourced to secretive, unelected sub-committee.
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Special Reports
In-depth insight about what's going on in Exeter that you won't find anywhere else
Harlequins “co-living” redevelopment site for sale as student accommodation prospect despite Labour manifesto pledge
Exeter shopping centre to become car park until developer decides to “mobilise” after council covers £1.2 million demolition costs and continues to stall on bona fide co-living policy six years after adoption proposed.
Wonford hub plans scaled back as lease termination, business plan and governance risks remain unresolved
Labour councillors insist protracted project still on course after repeated delays expose funding dependence on time-limited £2 million Sport England grant.
Exeter City Council is about to seize the helm of Exe estuary maritime life: will it steer it onto the rocks?
Charges for waterways access are set to be imposed from the quay and canal basin to the coast under proposed Harbour Revision Order powers after six years of rising costs propelled by pursuit of Port Marine Safety Code compliance. They risk driving away craft of all sizes, from kayaks to yachts, while redevelopment threatens canalside land – but it’s not too late to change course.
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Labour and Conservative councillors join forces to block Exeter city centre antisocial behaviour initiative
Rejection of voluntary and community sector calls for more inclusive response follows thirteen-year council failure to comply with legal duties under crime and disorder legislation in relation to Exeter Community Safety Partnership.
Exeter In Brief
Exeter Observer's regular round-up of local news that matters
On Our Radar
Community and culture highlights curated by the Exeter Observer team
SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER 2026
How to Depend On Ourselves and Each Other
A one-day event exploring foraging, fermentation and community organising.
EXETER CITY CENTRE
SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER 2026
Bangla Cultural Fest
An evening festival celebrating Bengali culture and diversity in Exeter with live music, dance, exhibitions and stalls.
EXETER PHOENIX
