Exeter City Council disregards national planning policy and Environment Agency criticism to approve Riverside Valley Park flood zone heat plant plans

Post published:August 17, 2025
Post category:Exeter Observer
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Exeter City Council has disregarded national planning policy and Environment Agency criticism to approve plans for an industrial heat plant in Grace Road Fields, a fifteen acre ex-playing field beside Exeter Ship Canal which forms part of Riverside Valley Park.Grace Road Fields is in flood zone three with a high probability of fluvial flooding from the River Exe, according to Environment Agency modelling.Exeter Energy, a Leeds-based company controlled by 1Energy Group and Asper Investment Management, is to receive…

Exeter Digest #88: West Park development demolitions – Devon & Cornwall Police performance improvements

Post published:August 10, 2025
Post category:Exeter Observer
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HEADLINESWest Park redevelopment demolitions to proceed to enable intrusive unexploded ordnance surveys before works can beginFive year-old University of Exeter plans to provide 2,000 new student bedspaces in blocks up to nine storeys tall by demolishing up to 30 buildings on fifteen acre Streatham campus site about to take seismic step towards delivery. Read more.HMICFRS identifies sufficient Devon & Cornwall Police improvements to return force to routine monitoringInspectorate decision follows nearly three years of enhanced monitoring after force…

HMICFRS identifies sufficient Devon & Cornwall Police improvements to return force to routine monitoring

Post published:August 8, 2025
Post category:Exeter Observer
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His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has identified sufficient Devon & Cornwall Police performance improvements to return the force to routine inspectorate monitoring.The force has been subject to enhanced monitoring for nearly three years after it was found to be inadequate in three of nine areas and requiring improvement in two more.During a September 2022 inspection HMICFRS identified causes of concern, which it defines as serious, critical or systemic shortcomings in practice, policy or…

Exeter Digest #87: Mary Arches “co-living” – Jim Colwell misconduct warning – Newtown active travel scheme – Royal Devon resident doctors strike

Post published:July 27, 2025
Post category:Exeter Observer
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HEADLINESProposed Mary Arches “co-living” blocks condemned as “slums of the future”Eutopia Homes seeks full planning permission for 300-bed seven storey development at quadruple recommended local plan density without providing promised “research-based evidence for the need for co-living” on city centre car parks site. Read more.Devon & Cornwall Police deputy chief constable Jim Colwell receives 18-month misconduct warningOutcome of Independent Office for Police Conduct investigation delivered day before retirement of suspended chief constable Will Kerr announced, with Police and…

Devon & Cornwall Police deputy chief constable Jim Colwell receives 18-month misconduct warning

Post published:July 26, 2025
Post category:Exeter Observer
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Devon & Cornwall Police deputy chief constable Jim Colwell has received an 18-month written misconduct warning as he returns to full duties following his suspension in November last year.He was suspended by Devon & Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez following alleged professional standards breaches, which she referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).In May the IOPC determined that Jim Colwell had “no case to answer in respect of either the alleged use of a…