Exeter & East Devon News

Whimple communities will soon benefit from two improved play areas thanks to close collaboration between East Devon District Council and Whimple Parish Council.

After months of speculation and hundreds of listener guesses, the much-talked-about Secret Sound competition on DevonAir Radio has finally come to an end.

Police officers have been out across the city, with a particular focus on Sidwell Street, carrying out proactive patrols and enforcement activity.

Isca Academy is proud to be working once again with community organisation The Big Step to deliver festive Christmas hampers to families across its school community.

Plans to expand Exeter’s solar power capacity to reduce the city’s carbon emissions have been backed by councillors.

Big-hearted students in Exeter brought Christmas cheer to dozens of local families after hosting a festive community dinner filled with music, laughter and generosity.

The heart breaking issue of homelessness is one that is more prevalent in people’s minds at this time of year due to the colder weather and festive season, but the stark reality is that I have come across it more than ever in 2025, says Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez.

People living in Exeter are being reminded that Christmas wrapping paper and cards cannot be recycled in their green recycling bin.

A woman has died following a serious traffic collision in Colyford last week.

A man has been interviewed by Devon officials amid efforts to recoup the costs of removing flags in Exeter that were reattached moments after being removed.

Children living in temporary accommodation in Exeter this Christmas are to receive a big bag of presents thanks to the generosity of people in the city.

Two Sidmouth College students have been selected to represent Devon Scouts at the 2027 World Scout Jamboree in Gdańsk, Poland.

Exeter City Council is still considering whether to postpone its elections next year amid criticism that it is trying to avoid the polls as support slips.

Design work is underway for a new leisure centre, a key addition to Cranbrook’s expanding town centre, with proposals including a 25-metre and learner pool, gym, fitness studios, soft play, and a café.

The future of a hotly-contested road closure in the centre of Exeter will be decided in the New Year.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has downgraded the rating of Horizon Care (South West) Ltd from good to inadequate and placed it into special measures to protect people following an inspection in September.

A dramatic bid to halt the felling of some mature trees in an East Devon town has led to an emergency protection order being issued.

A Late night attack in Exmouth at the weekend has resulted in a man losing his life

Exmouth Community College (ECC) has been awarded a ‘Tescos Golden Grant’ worth £5,000 this term as part of the supermarket’s ‘Stronger Starts’ campaign.

A significant report on efforts by a Devon council to improve its underperforming children’s services department has sparked a political war of words.

East Devon has celebrated a night of remarkable success as a host of local businesses were recognised at the 2025 Devon Tourism Awards.

A Devon MP is marching on with his plans for a military-style mental fitness scheme aimed at providing support to school children.

Sidmouth is seeking nominations for exemplary residents as part of an annual award.

Devon County Council will receive the total over four years, from April. The funding needs to be spent on developing and constructing facilities for walking and cycling, as well as network planning and Bikeability cycle training.

East Devon District Council’s Countryside Team is celebrating a strong year, detailed in its 2025 Annual Review. The report highlights key achievements in wildlife conservation, visitor engagement & community involvement across East Devon’s natural spaces.

Work to remove a set of bollards that risked the progress of extension work at an Exeter doctor’s surgery has finally got underway after months of back-and-forth.

Students at St Luke’s Church of England School have been doing their bit for the environment this term by planting 105 new trees on the school grounds.

The latest addition to a network of pre-surveyed night-time landing sites for Devon Air Ambulance is now up and running – bringing the total to 207 sites spread across the county.

Police are appealing for witnesses and footage following a serious injury road traffic collision on Swan Hill Road, Colyford.

People getting a takeaway in Exeter are being encouraged to report any food or drink outlets supplying single-use plastics.

Footage has emerged of a person reattaching flags to lampposts along one of Exeter’s busiest roads just moments after they were removed.

A new late-night bus service for Cranbrook has been hailed as a win for the growing town.

Exeter College and Petroc College to merge in January, creating a regional powerhouse for young people and skills

South West Flood and Coastal (SWFaC), the shared service between East Devon District Council (EDDC) and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP), is celebrating the completion of the Seaton Hole Coastal Protection Scheme. The major £1.4m project now provides increased protection for cliff-top homes, cherished public spaces and one of East Devon’s most iconic stretches of coastline.

East Devon’s Liberal Democrats have taken another district council seat after winning a by-election in Seaton.

Scammers pretending to be from local authorities have been sending texts claiming that the recipient has an unpaid parking fine.

The University of Exeter is a finalist for Apprenticeship Provider of the Year at the Apprenticeship and Training Awards 2026.

A patient in Exeter has become the first in the UK to trial an innovative 3D imaging technology designed to detect rheumatoid arthritis at its earliest stages, helping to avoid permanent damage to joints.

The cost of connecting just one home to broadband in a rural area of East Devon could cost around £60,000, it has emerged at a debate about pushing for better internet connectivity.

Pupils at Exwick Heights Primary School are on a mission to thank Exeter’s community heroes.

On Wednesday 10 December, the NHS released the results of the 2025 CQC Maternity Survey. The Royal Devon performed well against the national average, and better than most Trusts in 14 of the survey questions.

Honiton Town Council and Thelma Hulbert Gallery (THG) have revealed a new art installation at the Beehive in Honiton

Exeter City Council is to borrow more than £1million to kit out six of its buildings with solar panels.

People living in some of Exeter’s hundreds of new homes are facing poor service and rocketing costs for the basic maintenance of their roads and parks.

The Otterton Reindeer Run, held in the eponymous East Devon village last Saturday, has raised £3,000 for community good causes thanks to an event that continues to grow in size and appeal

A University of Exeter employee is the first ever Apprentice of the Year at the inaugural West Country Women Awards, recognising her exceptional achievements and leadership journey.

There’s still time to take part in an online survey about Exeter’s Green Circle walking route.

A row of tankers has been witnessed at a popular East Devon beach as maintenance on the sewer system takes place.

More than 800 student flats and ‘co-living’ studios are to be built on the site of Exeter’s old police station despite neighbours’ fears that their homes will be overshadowed.

There’s more bad news for BT from a Devon council as plans for four more high street ‘hubs’ are rejected.

The new colours for Sidmouth’s beach huts have been proposed as work continues to upgrade the iconic structures.

South West Water has started work on the next phase of a £12m project in Sidmouth to improve the town’s sewage network, reduce the use of storm overflows and protect the quality of its bathing waters.

Isca Academy welcomed Councillor Andrew Leadbetter for a visit this term. During his time at the school, Councillor Leadbetter toured the school’s facilities and gained insight into the vibrant learning environment enjoyed by students.

West Exe School has been recognised for its outstanding achievement in introducing Classics. The Exeter school was awarded a ‘Secondary School of the Year - Highly Commended’ certificate by Classics for All in their 2025 Impact Awards.

The two latest shops closed for trading in illegal tobacco have strong links to organised crime intelligence suggests.

A Devon wildlife park is hoping to create a special home where beavers can temporarily stay before being introduced into the wild.

Exmouth’s Liberal Democrats have held onto a district council seat for the town’s Halsdon ward in a by-election prompted by the death of a former councillor.

A campaigner fighting to get an Exeter road re-opened for traffic has urged councillors not to delay a vital public consultation.

The BMP, produced with South West Flood and Coastal, the Environment Agency and AECOM, says ageing defences, rising seas and climate change raise risk. Without action, Exmouth could face £800m in flood, erosion and beach-loss damage in 100 years.

Running from November 2025 to March 2026, the programme teaches children how reducing food waste helps the environment and why using their food waste caddy at home is important. 

New rules mean all postal vote applications are now only valid for a maximum of three years.   Those who applied for a postal vote before 30 January 2024, will need to reapply by 31 January 2026 to continue voting by post.  

Despite knowing its listed status—and having consent only for limited works—Mr Bruce Philipps oversaw the wholesale stripping of the historic interior, taking the building back to bare brick and removing floors down to the earth.

Devon County Council has won praise from Ofsted for big improvements in care-leaver services. Leader Julian Brazil says the endorsement shows the progress made since the new administration made children its top priority after May’s elections.

Exeter has a vital role to play in Devon’s forthcoming devolution deal despite being in the ‘second tier’ of councils involved.

Supporters across the heart of Devon opened their gardens to raise vital funds for hospice charity amidst funding deficit. 55 gardens opened during 2024 in support of Hospiscare, the local hospice charity for Exeter, Central and East Devon.