city news

Joseph Dweba: Hooker can reignite Springboks career at Exeter – Rob Baxter

Joseph Dewba can use his time at Exeter to force his way back into the South Africa squad says Chiefs boss Rob Baxter.Dweba, who moved to Sandy Park from Stormers this summer, won the last of his six caps for the Springboks in the summer of 2023. Baxter likens the hooker's situation in a similar light to Australian signings Dean Mumm and Nic White.The pair both moved to Exeter from Super Rugby having dropped out of contention for…

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Exeter-Hong Kong collaboration opens doors to brain science research

Researchers specialising in fields related to the workings of the brain are being invited to apply for new starter grants available through an international partnership with City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK). Up to £30,000 is available across an estimated six collaborative projects in brain science, encompassing neuroscience, psychology, linguistics, mathematics and computing. The call for applications was opened at a September event at CityUHK, which showcased the progress of four inaugural Initiator Projects that have been running…

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South West Water and University of Exeter collaborate using AI in bid to make water network lead free

South West Water is working in partnership with the University of Exeter through the Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water and Waste (CREWW), to develop an upgraded model to predict the location of lead pipes across its network. This work is a key part of South West Water’s lead strategy for the next five years, which includes removing between 20,000 and 40,000 lead pipes. It also supports the company’s long-term commitment to be completely lead-free by 2050. A…

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Play Interact Explore – Exeter Observer

Play Interact Explore – Exeter Observer

Theatre Alibi is hosting an interactive tactile exhibition suitable for all ages from Saturday 4 October to Sunday 2 November at Emmanuel Hall.Play Interact Explore was developed by artists Leap Then Look in conjunction with four community groups in Eastbourne and Brighton.It offers a sculptural environment for people to explore and rearrange, experimentally interacting with a variety of objects and assemblages.Special sessions include early years mornings, when kids go free, and afternoons designed for home educating families who…

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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…

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

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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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

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

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…

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