Exeter City Council

Stories about Exeter City Council

Exeter Digest #98: Exeter in Brief redux

With our pick of upcoming local community and culture highlights and a recap of the top stories from our previous edition.

Phil Bialyk speaking at Exeter City Council 13 January 2026 Guildhall meeting

Exeter City Council leader Phil Bialyk hides behind flimsy CEO capacity claims to contrive local elections cancellation

Labour councillors plumb new depths to cling to power – and personal financial gain – as government-backed contempt for democracy enables seven of eight executive members to avoid ballots in their wards until council abolition in 2028.

Illustrative view of Heavitree Road blocks above Higher Summerlands

Exeter City Council adds 813 more student and “co-living” beds to city “housing” supply with Heavitree Road approval

Complex of seven blocks up to six storeys tall on site of police station and magistrates court to bring purpose-built temporary accommodation tally to 3,250 beds in Newtown alone – while failing to meet local plan minimum building separation policy.

Former Topsham golf academy driving range

Exeter City Council approves 54 more dwellings in Topsham gap on former golf driving range

Greenfield development follows council approval of plans enabling driving range relocation to privately-owned land in Ludwell Valley Park.

Dawlish Warren and Exe Estuary mouth sandbanks

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

Former Bramdean School playing field

McCarthy Stone amends Heavitree school playing field retirement complex plans to trigger second public consultation

Developer makes minor adjustments to proposals for 36 retirement flats which have prompted concerns about loss of green space and adverse impact on historic character of conservation area.

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