Yearly Archives: 2025

Government must overhaul SME climate policy with less focus on ‘low-hanging fruit’

Experts have called for the UK government to overhaul its decarbonisation strategy for small and medium-sized businesses. In a study published in the journal Energy Research and Social Science, they criticise current green initiatives for failing to deliver lasting emissions cuts despite receiving £1.57 billion in support from the European Regional Development Fund from 2014-2022. Interventions have been too focused on short-term quick fixes such as getting SMEs to switch to LED lightbulbs rather than more transformative, practice-orientated…

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Exeter College and Petroc merger set to create largest college group in South West

Exeter College and Petroc merger set to create largest college group in South West

Exeter College and Petroc are holding a public consultation on a proposed merger of the two institutions which they say would create the largest college group in the South West with more than 16,000 students, nearly 2,000 staff and an annual turnover of £100 million.The proposed new organisation, to be called Exeter and North Devon College Group, would begin operations in January next year as part of what the colleges say is the “direction of travel nationally” for…

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Proposals to replace Clarendon House with 297-bed student accommodation complex submitted for approval

Proposals to replace Clarendon House with 297-bed student accommodation complex submitted for approval

Developer Zinc Real Estate has applied to Exeter City Council for planning permission to replace Clarendon House, overlooking the Paris Street roundabout, with a 297-bed student accommodation complex arranged in three blocks up to ten storeys tall.Its application follows two rounds of informal public consultation, three meetings with councillors and four with council officers during which time the scheme’s tallest block has been reduced from twenty to ten storeys and the number of student bed spaces reduced from…

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Two Moors Festival – Exeter Observer

Two Moors Festival – Exeter Observer

Two Moors Festival - Exeter ObserverDemocracy doesn't work when people don't know  Upgrade to paidEO Exeter Observer Local news that matters ON OUR RADARChamber music festival celebrates 25th anniversary with performances, talks and workshops across fifteen venues.Leigh CurtisTwo Moors Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary with twelve days of talks, workshops and chamber music performances from Wednesday 1 to Sunday 12 October.The annual chamber music festival is this year presenting twenty-one events at fifteen venues on Dartmoor, Exmoor and…

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Exeter Digest #90: Barley Lane greenfield plans – Summerland Street student block – Heavitree school playing field retirement flats – city council accounts inspection

Exeter Digest #90: Barley Lane greenfield plans – Summerland Street student block – Heavitree school playing field retirement flats – city council accounts inspection

Exeter Digest #90: Barley Lane greenfield plans - Summerland Street student block - Heavitree school playing field retirement flats - city council accounts inspection - Exeter ObserverEverything else is public relations  Upgrade to paidEO Exeter Observer Local news that matters THE EXETER DIGESTWith our pick of upcoming local community and culture highlights and a recap of the top stories from our previous edition.Sunday 7 September 2025HEADLINESBarley Lane greenfield plans place persistent threat to Exeter’s north and north-west hills…

Continue ReadingExeter Digest #90: Barley Lane greenfield plans – Summerland Street student block – Heavitree school playing field retirement flats – city council accounts inspection

Barley Lane greenfield plans place persistent threat to Exeter’s north and north-west hills in spotlight

Barley Lane greenfield plans place persistent threat to Exeter’s north and north-west hills in spotlight

Proposals to build 65 dwellings in open fields overlooking Exeter near Barley Valley Nature Reserve have prompted 175 objections, with a public consultation on the plans still to run until the end of the weekend.An outline planning application for ten acres of agricultural land between Barley Lane and Nadder Park Road, which is supposed to be protected from development by council planning policies which designate it as part of the city’s distinctive landscape setting, was submitted in July.Illustrative…

Continue ReadingBarley Lane greenfield plans place persistent threat to Exeter’s north and north-west hills in spotlight

Unaudited 2024-25 city council accounts published for annual inspection period

Unaudited 2024-25 city council accounts published for annual inspection period

Unaudited 2024-25 city council accounts published for annual inspection period - Exeter ObserverKeep our reporting free for everyone to read  Upgrade to paidEO Exeter Observer Local news that matters NEWSSpecial information access rights enabling residents to examine records apply until 6 October after asset revaluation delayed publication from 1 July to 26 August.Saturday 6 September 2025Martin RedfernA six-week period has begun during which local residents, journalists and other interested persons have special access rights to information contained in…

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Pre-application feedback sought on proposals for six storey Summerland Street student accommodation block

Pre-application feedback sought on proposals for six storey Summerland Street student accommodation block

Pre-application feedback sought on proposals for six storey Summerland Street student accommodation block - Exeter ObserverKeep our reporting free for everyone to read  Upgrade to paidEO Exeter Observer Local news that matters NEWSRedevelopment of Unit 1 nightclub and Best Tyre Auto Centre in Verney Street would add 180 beds to 1,575 student bedspaces in immediate area on top of 145 studios in consented but unbuilt Summerland Street “co-living” block.Saturday 6 September 2025, updated 11 September 2025Martin RedfernPre-application feedback…

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McCarthy Stone set to build 36 retirement flats on Heavitree school playing field

McCarthy Stone set to build 36 retirement flats on Heavitree school playing field

Retirement home developer McCarthy Stone is set to build 36 retirement flats on a former school playing field in the heart of Heavitree following its submission of an application for full planning permission for a three-storey complex on the greenfield site last month.If approved, the complex would include twenty one-bedroom and sixteen two-bedroom flats with a lounge, reception area and office space across nearly 3,200 square metres of internal floor space.An enlarged vehicle entrance in Homefield Road would…

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What are councils saying about the graffiti in your area?

What are councils saying about the graffiti in your area?

Emily Ford, Niki Hinman & James AldridgeBBC News & Local Democracy Reporting ServiceBBCAn example of the graffiti seen in Whitley Wood, Reading, on ThursdayCouncils across the south of England have warned of the risk of painting public signs and roundabouts after a spate of graffiti.It comes as countless Union flags and St George's Cross markings have also appeared across the region, believed to be part of an organised effort called Operation Raise the Colours.The rules about flying the…

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