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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 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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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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25 stories for the 2025 summer recess

25 stories for the 2025 summer recess

25 stories for the 2025 summer recessThe Exeter Observer team is taking a short break from publishing during the summer recess to carry out essential maintenance and development work. We’ve picked 25 stories from the past twelve months to keep you ticking over until our return in September.CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENTUniversity study finds decarbonisation slowing as city council continues to pursue failing Net Zero Exeter 2030 planExeter also set to miss national 2050 target on current trajectory while aviation,…

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Exeter Digest #89: Grace Road Fields special report – 2025 summer recess stories

Exeter Digest #89: Grace Road Fields special report – 2025 summer recess stories

Exeter Digest #89: Grace Road Fields special report - 2025 summer recess stories - 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 17 August 2025SPECIAL REPORTExeter City Council disregards national planning policy and Environment Agency criticism to approve Riverside Valley Park flood zone heat plant plansFive gas boilers…

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

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

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…

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

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

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…

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