city news

Hundreds turn out to oppose Holsworthy mega solar farm plans

Hundreds turn out to oppose Holsworthy mega solar farm plans

Kirk EnglandSouth West environment and tourism correspondentBBCStephen Crowther, from the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is opposing the plansHundreds of people have attended a meeting in opposition to plans for one the UK's biggest solar farms.More than 200 residents packed into Holsworthy Memorial Hall in Devon earlier to hear concerns about the proposed 1,100 hectares (2,700 acres) Beacon Solar project.The Campaign to Protect Rural England's (CPRE) described the plans as "a market dash in favour of government policy",…

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New plans to carve Devon up into four unitary authorities

New plans to carve Devon up into four unitary authorities

Miles DavisDevon political reporterGetty ImagesA new plan has emerged to carve Devon up into four unitary authorities as part of local government reorganisationA new plan for Devon to be carved up into four unitary authorities has emerged.Under the government's massive shake up of local government, all district and county councils will be abolished so that one authority will run all council services in any one area.Plymouth, Torbay and Exeter have now revealed they are all working together on…

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Paul Wotton says Torquay United need to keep pace with leaders Hornchurch

Paul Wotton says Torquay United need to keep pace with leaders Hornchurch

Hornchurch visit on Saturday still unbeaten, and with a two-point lead at the top. Wotton is not surprised by their form.He said: "They've got a lot of experience and recruited very well in the summer, so I'm not surprised by the league table at all. "It's a tough league and they've had a fantastic start, but we're obviously focused on ourselves. "I feel that we've done some really fantastic stuff this year, and areas to improve on. That…

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High demand and short supply for rented housing in Teignmouth

High demand and short supply for rented housing in Teignmouth

Miles DavisDevon political reporter, TeignmouthBBCEmma Foreman is lettings director at Complete Estate Agents in TeignmouthHigh demand and short supply for rental housing in Devon are expected to continue, according to people in the industry.The Renters Rights Act - a huge shake-up of the rental market - became law on Monday.The legislation is designed to level the playing field between landlords and tenants as people renting say it has become prohibitively expensive and very difficult to find rental properties.A…

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Award-winning documentary on off-grid Devon life receives limited run in November thanks to University

A documentary that records the lives and experiences of people in North Devon who have chosen to live without mains electricity is to have an exclusive, limited run in two cinemas in November. The film, where is heaven?, took a decade to film and has won awards and played to sold-out venues despite technically being in its pre-release phase. Now, five screenings have been confirmed for two cinemas in Devon thanks to the University of Exeter and its…

Continue ReadingAward-winning documentary on off-grid Devon life receives limited run in November thanks to University

Man, 94, dies from injuries sustained in Exeter M5 crash

Man, 94, dies from injuries sustained in Exeter M5 crash

A man has died from injuries sustained during a car crash on a motorway, police have said.Devon and Cornwall Police received reports of a crash involving a blue Ford Fiesta, a grey Land Rover Discovery and a grey Mazda CX-5 on the southbound slip road at junction 29 of the M5 in Exeter at about 11:00 GMT on Tuesday.A 94-year-old passenger of the Ford suffered serious injuries and died in hospital on Thursday, the force said. A second…

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Exeter expands scientific collaboration in the Emirates  

Exeter expands scientific collaboration in the Emirates  

A partnership on a potentially world-leading marine research centre and a new collaborative geology degree that will create new educational pathways between the UK and the United Arab Emirates were among the highlights of an international visit to Sharjah for the University of Exeter this week.  The President and Vice-Chancellor and other University leaders met counterparts at the universities of Khorfakkan, Kalba and Al Dhaid to deepen and broaden education and research partnerships. They also met with alumni in the…

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Amy Rule: New Zealand prop reflects on journey as she prepares for first Exeter start

That professionalism was one of the big plus points for Exeter boss Steve Salvin when he recruited Rule before this year's World Cup.The prop went on to help the Black Ferns win a bronze medal as she took her tally to 31 caps, scoring two tries for New Zealand along the way. "The way she approaches her game in terms of taking notes, asking questions, challenging, all the things you would expect from someone of a professional mindset,"…

Continue ReadingAmy Rule: New Zealand prop reflects on journey as she prepares for first Exeter start

Amy Rule: New Zealand prop reflects on journey as she prepares for Exeter debut

Amy Rule: New Zealand prop reflects on journey as she prepares for Exeter debut

That professionalism was one of the big plus points for Exeter boss Steve Salvin when he recruited Rule before this year's World Cup.The prop went on to help the Black Ferns win a bronze medal as she took her tally to 31 caps, scoring two tries for New Zealand along the way. "The way she approaches her game in terms of taking notes, asking questions, challenging, all the things you would expect from someone of a professional mindset,"…

Continue ReadingAmy Rule: New Zealand prop reflects on journey as she prepares for Exeter debut

Views sought as council considers future of Barnstaple’s quays

Views sought as council considers future of Barnstaple’s quays

Boat owners and water users have been asked to give their views on whether three quays should remain in use.North Devon Council has said it would need to find £500,000 to ensure all marine facilities at Castle Quay and Rolle Quay in Barnstaple and Fremington Quay comply with the new port and marine facility safety code.The council said decommissioning the sites would cost less than a fifth of the cost of removing boating-related equipment but it would mean…

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‘Horror’ as Honiton cattle left to die in slurry and scrap

‘Horror’ as Honiton cattle left to die in slurry and scrap

Jonathan MorrisSouth WestTrading Standards/Environment AgencyDomestic waste, scrap metal, broken concrete and abandoned vehicles were foundA farmer has been given a life-long ban from keeping livestock after inspectors uncovered scenes described in court as "like a horror movie".David Rosewell, of Crook Farm, Combe Raleigh near Honiton, pleaded guilty to a string of animal welfare and environmental offences.Exeter Magistrates Court heard how inspectors from Trading Standards, the Environment Agency and the Animal and Plant Health Agency found decomposing cattle carcasses,…

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