Exeter & East Devon News

Northbrook Swimming Pool in Exeter will be closed after a decision at an Exeter City Council meeting held on Tuesday evening.

Exmouth and Exeter East MP David Reed has claimed the proposed law that allows assisted dying did not include “sufficiently robust safeguards”, prompting him to vote against the legislation.

Police are appealing for witnesses and information following a serious road traffic collision on the A3052, at Boshill Cross, Colyford.

A second investigation into a decision to grant permission for controversial plans for up to 130 homes in an East Devon town has been launched.

Sidmouth’s multi-million-pound coastal defence scheme is one step closer to reality. 

Exeter City Council’s Executive has agreed to sell a small area of land which would allow access for the delivery of much-needed affordable housing in Exeter.

A system that automatically registers cars when they enter Honiton Leisure Centre’s car park could be installed.

The University of Exeter’s commitment to a sustainable future has been recognised in the latest influential league table.

Businesses in rural areas like East Devon are facing ‘extraordinary barriers’ to success because of poor broadband connections

Honiton Community College is celebrating being rated ‘Good’ in all areas by Ofsted during its latest inspection.

An Exeter man has been jailed for two years and three months after being found guilty of the sexual touching of a child.

The University of Exeter and Exeter College have signed an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), deepening their shared commitment to enhancing education across the region.

A pioneering solar farm and battery storage facility in Exeter, which delivers clean energy to the city’s refuse collection vehicles, has been shortlisted for yet another award.

A Reform UK member has been reported to police for potentially breaching election campaign spending limits.

People will be able to experience the pomp and ceremony of a military parade on Saturday (21 June) as Exeter celebrates Armed Forces Day.

The Grade II Listed Iron Bridge in Exeter has re-opened on schedule this week following major refurbishment.

Detectives are currently investigating reports of a stabbing which happened in the Newcourt area of Exeter, in the early hours of this morning.

Sidmouth Town Council is proud to announce a bold new chapter in its youth services provision.

Exeter City Council is being warned that closing one of the city’s swimming pools will have ‘real-world impacts’ on local people.

Officers are appealing for information regarding the whereabouts of a 34-year-old man who is wanted in connection with an assault.

Professor Peter Cox has been appointed CBE for services to science and climate modelling. Professor Tim Lenton has been appointed OBE for services to understanding climate tipping points. Both honours recognise outstanding contributions to climate science.

NHS Royal Devon’s Hepatology team has received a prestigious liver services quality accreditation from the Royal College of Physicians—one of just 18 trusts nationally—praised for delivering a nationally leading service for advanced liver disease.

Devon & Cornwall Police’s Rural Affairs team supported East Devon District Council and key partners to tackle the growing issue of fly-tipping as part of an engagement event that took place last week.

Exeter City Council has won the Royal Town Planning Institute’s ‘Best Plan’ award for the Liveable Water Lane Supplementary Planning Document. The award was presented at a ceremony at Sandy Park, hosted by the Institute’s South West Branch.

British Skydiving, the national governing body for the sport, confirmed the deaths and said it had launched an investigation into the incident, which occurred on Friday.

Crafters from across Exeter are invited to make rugby-themed crochet pieces for a yarn exhibition at Exeter’s historic Guildhall and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery.

Councillors in Exeter are ready to hand over a key piece of land to developers planning nearly 100 new ‘affordable’ homes on green fields on the outskirts of the city.

In response to concerns raised by beach users about breaches of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) on Exmouth beach last year, East Devon District Council’s Environmental Protection Team recently launched a focused initiative in the area.

Detectives are appealing for witnesses after a man was found with life-threatening injuries in Exwick at 5.50pm on 12 June. A man in his 20s has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. Police urge anyone with information to come forward.

Charles Kirkby, 39, of Church Road, St Thomas, Exeter, has been jailed for 30 months after admitting two sexual assaults on a girl under 13. He was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court on Friday 13 June, having previously pleaded guilty to the offences.

Councillors from various parties will debate the future of Exeter’s Northbrook swimming pool at a special scrutiny committee meeting. A petition was presented at the Guildhall on Tuesday, with organisers given the chance to speak on the facility’s future.

This key phase saw 150m of steel sheet piling installed, extending defences from Phase One to the Old Lifeboat slipway. The upgrade strengthens the seawall, protecting homes, businesses, and vital seafront infrastructure from storms and coastal erosion.

he incident occurred on Thursday afternoon near Station Road in the Exwick area. Police reported that the victim had suffered multiple puncture wounds and was in a life-threatening condition.

Another 2,400 Exeter homes are getting food waste collections, bringing the total to around half the city. Over 5,000 homes were added last month. The latest areas include parts of Cowick, St Thomas and Exwick, as the rollout continues citywide.

A man was attacked outside The London Inn and public library shortly after midnight on Saturday 5 April 2025. He suffered head and wrist injuries after being assaulted by three unknown young males and was taken to hospital for treatment.

A veteran councillor has refused to back official minutes of a decision approving a controversial housing scheme. Cllr Eileen Wragg (Lib Dem, Exmouth Town) said she "could not accept the minutes" on the plan for up to 130 homes in Seaton.

Cranbrook welcomed the community to celebrate the official launch of its brand-new Outdoor Gym at Cranbrook Country Park — a vibrant day of fitness, fun joined by residents and international sporting talent on Sunday, 1 June 2025.

The Buttercup Unit is the Devon Diagnostic Centre’s outpatient department, offering one stop clinics that are more convenient—away from a busy hospital, with fewer visits needed and less risk of cancellations due to emergency pressures.

Officers were called at around 12.40pm on 10 June to the A380 at Telegraph Hill on the southbound carraigeway. It was reported that the collision involved a pushbike and a motorcylce. Sadly the motorcyclist was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The ACED Volunteer of the Year award celebrates outstanding contributions to arts and heritage in East Devon. Congratulations to Laura Hewitt from Seaton Museum, winner of the 2025 award, for her incredible impact on the local cultural landscape!

A fifth man has been charged with murder following the death of a man in Exmouth on Saturday 31 May. Devon & Cornwall Police were called at around 00:45am following a report a man had been assaulted & located in the garden of a property in Ashfield Close.

Three new benches in Exeter city centre, crafted from a felled tree, have become a favourite spot to relax. Located in Dix’s Field near the Civic Centre, the benches were shaped from the wood of a tall Wellingtonia tree that was removed after it sadly died.

Around 160 pupils recently took part in the Schools Festival of Rugby at Sandy Park ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 in Exeter. The event was designed to encourage girls to participate in the sport ahead of the tournament.

Exeter has been named as one of three local authorities helping to develop a powerful new AI tool as part of the government’s wider ambition to use artificial intelligence to drive national growth, modernise public services, and improve lives. 

A Government-funded scheme offers holiday activities and nutritious meals for children aged 5–16 on benefits-related free school meals. Others may also qualify under our ‘extended criteria’—check if your child is eligible and join the fun!

Staff, alumni and friends of the University of Exeter walked up to 20 miles to raise awareness of mental health and fundraise for the ChYMe (Children and Young People’s Mental Health) project within the University’s faculty of Health and Life Sciences.

Devon MP Richard Foord has welcomed Tesco’s sale of land needed for the Cullompton relief road. The Honiton & Sidmouth Lib Dem MP called it a “welcome development” that allows work on the vital project to begin next year.

On Sat 24 May, Trading Standards and local police raided a Cowick St store in Exeter after community intel. Suspected illegal tobacco and over £1,000 in cash were seized following multiple identified offences.

South West Water is investigating a potential sewage overflow at Exmouth Beach following reports that the Maer Road pumping station is discharging into the English Channel.

Anger has emerged from a Devon council about aspects of a major bill that will impact how planning applications are decided.

Detectives investigating a burglary in Cranbrook are appealing for anyone with doorbell and dashcam footage of any suspicious behaviour in the area to come forward.

Around 150 service personnel from the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) will march through Exeter city centre on Saturday 21 June to exercise the unit’s Freedom of the City.

Government cash has been secured for more social housing in East Devon, including for Afghan refugees.

East Devon District Council’s Cabinet has taken a key step forward to progress the Seaton Hole Coast Protection Scheme by recommending upfront investment. A final decision will be made by the Full Council on 18 June 2025.

The brakes have been put on efforts to create a more accurate way of calculating maximum taxi fares in East Devon after poor response rates from drivers.

Police Cadets attended a special celebration event at police headquarters in Middlemoor, which shone a light on the valuable contribution cadets make to the force.

Four men have been charged with murder following the death of a man in Exmouth on Saturday.

Nine contemporary art exhibitions will open to the public in Exeter this month as part of an annual celebration of postgraduate student curatorial expertise.

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.