Transport & Mobility
NEWS
Exeter St Thomas improvement bid rejected as Devon denied step-free access funding for five years
Two-thirds of Access for All money to go to Conservative seats as low-key Department for Transport announcement finds its way into constituency-level news stories and political PR across the country.
ANALYSIS
Plan to convert language school to nursery to test 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'.
COMMENT
Access for all? Mobility-impaired passengers still cannot catch their train from some Exeter stations
National railway accessibility policies fail to deliver local transport network access as Exeter St Thomas station improvement funding bid decision awaited.
NEWS
Bus corridor consultation presents more incremental changes to Exeter road network
£2.4 million Heavitree and Pinhoe Road 'upgrades' have 'potential for an approximate four-minute journey time saving' at peak times along length of each corridor.
ANALYSIS
Stagecoach South West posts largest losses in sector despite greatest growth in journey numbers
Lowest year on year revenue rise compounded by above average staffing costs increase as £2 bus fare cap continues to prop up passenger demand.
ANALYSIS
Devon County Council adopts charging strategy that provides for only 20% of EVs it expects by 2030
Local ULEV ownership has risen rapidly in recent years but many more vehicles have joined county's roads as local transport area ULEV growth lags behind rest of country and Exeter motor vehicle numbers alone top 87,000.
Planning & Place
ANALYSIS
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.
NEWS
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'.
NEWS
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.
NEWS
Developers claim council planning committee refusal was 'if not malevolent, certainly misguided'
Appeal against decision to deny fifth additional storey in build-to-rent scheme above Crankhouse Coffee accuses councillors of seeking to 'appease the weight of objectors' orchestrated opinion' against amendments to eleven year-old consent.
NEWS
Victoria Street 'co-living' complex revisions still propose five times recommended residential density
Brownfield claim for site in heart of St James implies any Exeter residential property with garden, garage and driveway ripe for build to rent redevelopment.
NEWS
Secretary of State overturns council decision to waive Southgate site Environmental Impact Assessment
Proposals for up to 200 flats in high-rise tower blocks have potentially significant impacts on Exe Estuary avian flightpaths, Exeter Cathedral skyline, listed buildings and ancient city walls placing protected landscapes and heritage assets at risk.
Arts & Culture
SATURDAY 8 & SUNDAY 9 JUNE 2024
Heritage Harbour Festival 2024
The maritime-themed festival returns for a second year with tours, boat trips, films, workshops, music and more.
EXETER QUAY
SUNDAY 9 JUNE 2024
The Book Market 2024
Exeter City of Literature event features independent booksellers from across the county plus literary activities, food and drink and more.
CATHEDRAL GREEN
FRIDAY 7 & SATURDAY 8 JUNE 2024
Exeter Comedy Festival
Locally Sourced presents a two-day festival featuring Mike Wozniak, Josie Long, John Hegley and many more.
EXETER CITY CENTRE
SATURDAY 25 & SUNDAY 26 MAY 2024
Poltimore Festival 2024
A two-day outdoor festival featuring live music, workshops, food stalls, secret cinema and a craft market.
POLTIMORE HOUSE
FRIDAY 5 APRIL 2024
Exeter's Roman fortress
RAMM hosts the launch of a new book by a local archaeologist about the discovery of Exeter's Roman fortress.
RAMM
SUNDAY 14 APRIL 2024
City Slam
Exeter City of Literature, Taking the Mic and Spork! co-host a spoken-word poetry competition.
EXETER PHOENIX
Climate & Environment
ANALYSIS
Council plans huge allotment fees increases to claw back cash from 1,500 city gardeners and growers
Plot holders provided with incomplete picture as consultation held which does not comply with council's own charter and delayed scrutiny report that omits key survey findings suggests council aims to turn profit from allotment provision.
, updated
COMMENT
Just Stop Oil protest puts university fossil fuel financing under spotlight
University of Exeter tops UK fossil fuel funding table following £14.7 million deal with Shell but has more than one close relationship with major emissions producers.
Salmon Run
Dozens of runners took part in three community runs along the River Exe to highlight the significance of salmon and the species' relationship with the waterway.
NEWS
Council to remove a quarter of city's 800 litter bins
It says many are under-used because they are in the wrong place or too close to other bins, and that city centre bins will be 'largely unaffected'.
NEWS
Exeter City Futures board minutes published nearly nine months after meeting held
Minutes confirm Global City Futures work on Exeter Development Fund continues via direct city council contract framework and suggest university could retain brand after company dissolution.
NEWS
Just Stop Oil protests arrive in Exeter
Slow march from Sidwell Street to Northernhay Gardens first action in city by group calling for end to UK fossil fuel exploration, development and production.
Democracy & Governance
NEWS
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.
BRIEFINGS
Exeter City Council 2024 local elections results
The votes cast for each candidate with vote share and vote share change by party in each ward, plus turnout and the distribution of seats.
, updated
ANALYSIS
2024 Exeter local elections guide
City council elections take place on Thursday 2 May. Our comprehensive guide covers who's standing where, wards to watch and the backdrop to this year's ballot, which promises to be the most unpredictable contest in years.
COMMENT
Council raids community fund for £6 million to pay for eight year-old food waste collection promise
Emergency decision to finance materials reclamation facility investment taken less than a week before 2024 local elections campaign officially began.
COMMENT
County council to impose new local government tier despite majority opposition to devolution deal
Emptiness of claims that new combined authority will be accountable reflected in failure to respect consultation results as all eight Devon district councils decry prospective democratic deficit.
Community & Society
THURSDAY 27 JUNE 2024
Homelessness and hardship hustings
St Petrock's and Citizens Advice Exeter host a general election hustings to focus political attention on the city's most vulnerable people.
SOUTH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH
SATURDAY 22 JUNE 2024
Co-op Fortnight fair & fundraiser
Stalls, activities, giveaways, cake and a fundraiser for children's charity Barnardo's.
COWICK STREET CO-OP
SATURDAY 22 JUNE 2024
Library Lates Windrush celebration
A family-friendly Windrush Day celebration with music, poetry, dance, exhibitions and crafts.
EXETER LIBRARY
SATURDAY 22 JUNE 2024
Shillingford solstice celebration
A seasonal celebration with farm tour, seasonal food, crafts, cakes and drinks.
SHILLINGFORD ORGANICS
SATURDAY 8 & SUNDAY 9 JUNE 2024
Exeter Respect Festival 2024
The annual celebration of Exeter diversity returns for its 27th year with live music and performance, food stalls, community and campaign groups.
BELMONT PARK
ANALYSIS
Australian multinational is biggest council lottery winner as 92% of local causes receive less than £500
Operator collects £26,000 and city council £16,000 in first nine months as public support for Exeter voluntary and community organisations turned into private profit.
Economy & Enterprise
NEWS
City council gives Exeter Chiefs permission to hold Sandy Park concerts with 15,500 attendees
Permanent consent for six weekend events between 1 May and 15 July each year with amplified music to 10.30pm follows four trial concerts with audiences of just 3,500.
NEWS
Exeter employment rate second lowest in South West for second year running
Economic inactivity levels related to large student and retiree population remain high, creating recruitment challenges from healthcare to refuse collection, but council celebrates top retirement destination ranking as 'more good news'.
NEWS
Home Office fails in bid to shut down local restaurant
Hearing following December immigration raid revokes premises supervisor's authority and briefly suspends but stops short of revoking premises licence.
NEWS
Home Office demands closure of local restaurant
The Home Office has asked Mid Devon District Council to revoke the premises licence at Belluno, an Italian restaurant in Newton St Cyres, effectively shutting down the business.
NEWS
Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership to be wound up
The government has confirmed that the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership will be wound up in April next year.
NEWS
Decline in Exeter economic activity levels among largest in country
Census figures also show population increasing at nearly six times rate of job creation over past decade while healthcare, wholesale/retail and teaching make up nearly half of all employment, reflecting low pay and productivity.
