Stories about Exeter City Council
Council sinks additional £1.25m into struggling Exeter Science Park as company unable to repay £7m debts
Serial scrutiny failures continue as emergency meeting held to increase city council exposure to joint venture to more than £2 million on top of £450,000 project costs plus £950,000 guarantee but rescue plan risks repeating earlier strategic mistakes.
Revised Water Lane redevelopment plans submitted for outline approval
Application for up to 980 dwellings and up to 320 student bedspaces with 40,000m2 of other uses on ex-industrial site between railway embankment and Exeter Ship Canal obfuscates numerous key issues.
Annual inspection period begins as unaudited 2023-24 city council accounts published
Special information access rights enabling residents to examine records apply until 12 July as two preceding years’ accounts still not signed off and auditor’s inquiry into council governance and financial and performance management continues.
Howell Road garage for sale a week after student block redevelopment plans granted at appeal
Developer denied he would “spin in and spin out and take my profit” at planning committee that approved “backstop” plans for nine flats on site, saying student block was “what we want to build”.
26-bed Howell Road garage site student accommodation block allowed at appeal
St James Neighbourhood Plan community balance aims discounted and council policy and evidence deemed insufficient in inspector’s decision to overturn planning committee refusal.
Plan to convert language school to nursery tests credibility of city council active travel policy
Exeter Academy sits near top of steep hill 250 feet above city, far from accessible bus and rail routes, but developer claims local plan compliance in ‘demonstrably sustainable location’ which is ‘conducive to sustainable modes of travel’.