Features

Stories that explore key issues behind the headlines

Grace Road Fields March 2025

Exeter Energy insists Riverside Valley Park only viable heat plant site but fails to explain Marsh Barton brownfield rejection

Company admits River Exe water source connection merely “potential” after 2036, incinerator connection only “possible” after 2030 and solar array “will not” meet plant electricity demand while statutory objections challenge Grace Road Fields plans.

Exeter Community Lottery revenue distribution FAQ

Exeter Community Lottery income spent on gambling licence fees and costs despite council marketing and point of sale claims

Materially misleading claims that 60% of ticket sales revenue goes to good causes repeatedly made on lottery website and in official council communications as Australian multinational profits from local voluntary and community sector support.

Existing Exeter area parliamentary and district council boundaries map

Will Devon’s eleven councils find common ground as local authority reorganisation deadline looms?

A county-wide consensus is gaining traction with most Devon councils already on board and only Exeter City Council standing in its way while County Hall has yet to make up its mind.

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Grace Road Fields Exeter Energy plant main building indicative render

Exeter Energy plant replaces rationale for Grace Road Fields location near River Exe with reliance on air source heat pumps

Developer nevertheless seeks planning permission to build in Riverside Valley Park, claiming public open space “not bound” by local plan policy, as scheme ambition and city council environmental leadership claims begin to drain away.

Exeter territorial emissions vs linear trajectory to zero by 2030

University study finds decarbonisation slowing as city council continues to pursue failing Net Zero Exeter 2030 plan

Exeter also set to miss national 2050 target on current trajectory while aviation, shipping and other excluded scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions mean annual city carbon footprint likely to be triple territorial total.

Frasers Group Paris Street and Sidwell Street leaseholds after Princesshay sale

Council aims at Frasers Group Citypoint partnership after retail leaseholds sold as part of Princesshay deal

Mike Ashley-owned sports goods and retail group became Paris Street and Sidwell Street landlord in October, prompting council to rethink options for former bus station and revisit comprehensive redevelopment of wider site stalled since 2017.

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