News
The independent public interest journalism Exeter needs
Exeter UCU declares trade dispute over University of Exeter job cuts plan
Union threatens strike action if university does not abandon scheme to make 150 academic staff redundant while putting more than 500 staff at risk and jeopardising 85% of humanities, arts and social sciences faculty.
£19.6 million Exeter Chiefs takeover deal complete
Subsidiary of US-based Cannae Holdings buys Sandy Park stadium club from Exeter Rugby Group following vote in favour of proposed takeover by club members.
Features
Stories that explore key issues behind the headlines
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.
First phase capital cost of legacy Exeter City Living Whipton Gardens project to exceed £12.5 million – £364,000 per flat
Financing for second phase yet to be found as adjacent Rennes House demolition costs rise to £1 million and Exeter City Living reports year-end loss in residual Guildhall flats management role.
South West Water fined £1.85 million over Brixham drinking water offences
Sentencing in second case awaited, scope of third legal action expanded and Devon County Council announces desire to pursue company through courts on same day Pennon Group reports £135 million underlying pre-tax profits in 2025-26.
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.
, updated
Special Reports
In-depth insight about what's going on in Exeter that you won't find anywhere else
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.
, updated
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.
Council denies data and contrives criteria to dismiss community balance concerns in third King Billy student block approval
Exeter Observer analysis finds more students living in city centre than residents as council bid to include PBSA in housing delivery figures weakens local planning policy – but does not remove it from decision-making altogether.
, updated
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.
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
FRIDAY 7 TO SUNDAY 9 AUGUST 2026
Siege of Exeter
An historical re-enactment set during the 1549 Prayer Book Rebellion.
ST NICHOLAS PRIORY
FRIDAY 31 JULY 2026
Sidwella Day 2026
Annual celebration includes art, gardening, zine-making, Colombian snacks and Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
ST SIDWELL'S COMMUNITY CENTRE
