Exeter & East Devon News from Thursday, March 19th, 2026

A dispute has arisen over a Devon council’s move to remove a resident’s claims about a controversial planning process. Officials are identifying sites for new housing across East Devon through to the early 2040s as part of drafting a new local plan.

The Renters’ Rights Act is designed to make renting fairer, safer & more secure and changes how private renting works. The new legislation covers tenancies, evictions, rent rises, home standards and ending discriminatory practices like specifying no pets. 

East Devon District Council is urging residents and visitors to put their safety first and strictly follow path closures currently in place along Sidmouth seafront, as essential cliff works continue.

Residents are being reminded to ensure they are registered to vote ahead of the Exeter City Council elections on Thursday 7 May. The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday 20 April.