News Archive

As part of its Bus Service Improvement Plan Devon County Council is currently consulting on introducing a bus gate on New North Road to provide a more direct route to the city centre for buses traveling from Cowley Bridge to Exeter Bus Station. Bus gates are sections of the highway which allow the passage of […]

The Trust’s annual fundraising event was held in Queen’s Crescent Garden on 1 July. Our band of volunteers setting up. On a sunny Saturday the community once again came together to support the Queen’s Crescent Garden project. Much needed funds were raised as brisk trade was done at both book and plant stalls and cakes […]

2023 AGM Update The AGM held on 6 June was attended by 29 members including Board Members Robyn Connett (Chair), Paul Layton (Secretary), Rebecca Bower (Treasurer), Harry Temple and Beth Osment. A further 17 members appointed a Proxy. Robyn welcomed members to the meeting and spoke to various aspects of the Annual Report concentrating particularly […]

The City Council consultation launched on 22 May runs until 3 July and is of significance to everyone in St James concerned about community balance. Details can be found here.  In the meantime please read the Trust commentary here.

After refusal of planning permission for a 26 bed PBSA on this site a new application has been submitted by the owner (23/0583/OUT). At first sight this is much more acceptable being for 7 two-bedded and 2 one-bedded flats. However only outline permission is sought which, if granted, could ultimately allow the development of the […]

All members are cordially invited to attend the AGM to be held on Tuesday 6 June 6.15pm St Sidwell’s Primary School York Road Exeter 6.15pm Registration 6.30pm Business Meeting 7.00pm Close Click on the headings below to view/download documents: AGENDA MINUTES OF THE AGM 2022 THE ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENT DIRECTOR NOMINATION FORM FORM OF PROXY Please print documents; […]

The Hoopern Valley “is the largest open space in the ward and is a valuable asset not just for St James but for the city as a whole” [Exeter St James Neighbourhood Plan] Exeter University is currently considering the use of this space and is keen to understand what the local community think this land […]

We are pleased to report that the 26 bed PBSA application on the site of the closed Maximum Motors garage was refused at Planning Committee on 27 March, though it is unlikely that this will be the end of the matter as an appeal is expected.  The planning officers had been minded to approve the […]

Previously reported opposition to the conversion of Beaufort House in New North Road to 107 room student accommodation has been approved by officers’ delegated powers without being presented to the Planning Committee for consideration despite residents’ objections and the opposition of our local city councillors. The key issue on which refusal could be argued – […]

We are grateful to the Safer Exeter Community Sparks Fund for the award of a grant which has enabled the Trust to source and purchase a replacement noticeboard for Queen’s Crescent Garden. The old one had seen better days and was no longer fit for purpose. Now we have a brand new splendid noticeboard, an […]

At its meeting on Wednesday 8 February the City Planning Commitee met to consider the application to develop a 26 bed purpose built student accommodation block on the old Maximum Motors site in Howell Road (detail here). Each of our three Ward Councillors as well as Trust Chair, Robyn Connett, spoke in turn to argue the […]

For a pleasant change the Trust has been able to welcome a recent planning application to alter the use of 49 Longbrook Street from a 6 bed HMO into three separate flats. This listed property will require careful restoration to reflect its heritage value but we are delighted at the proposal to return its use […]

YET ANOTHER APPLICATION FOR STUDENT ACCOMMODATION Hot on the heels of the proposal to convert the former Maximum Motors building in Howell Road into purpose built student accommodation (see here) comes yet another application. This time conversion of the office building at 51 New North Road, known as Beaufort House, into a 107 bed PBSA in […]

(Image courtesy of Exeter City Council) Exeter City Council is currently running a planning consultation on proposals to amend Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) rates in the city. CIL revenue from development, first introduced in Exeter in 2013, is used to fund infrastructure and community facilities in the city. The Council states: ‘Although this is a […]

NO more PBSA (purpose built student accommodation) in St James! Already saturated with high numbers of temporary student residents, the Trust will continue to defend our statutory Neighbourhood Plan’s vision of a balanced and vibrant community whenever planning applications threaten to worsen the existing severe community imbalance. A recent application for the development of yet […]

QCG Community Event On the afternoon of Sunday 2 October friends, residents and students came together in QCG for the University’s Community Engagement Team “Eat & Greet” event held in conjunction with the Trust’s now customary book sale. University Community Engagement Officers had arranged for students to bring a variety of dishes to share. These […]

2022 AGM UPDATE The AGM held on 25 June was attended by 24 members including Board Members Robyn Connett (Chair), Paul Layton (Secretary), Rebecca Bower (Treasurer), Harry Temple and Beth Osment. A further 12 members appointed a Proxy. Robyn welcomed members to the meeting – the first to be held face-to-face for over two years […]

SUMMER EVENT IN QCG On Saturday 25 June the community once again responded brilliantly to the summer event in Queen’s Crescent Garden. Members and neighbours came together to enjoy the occasion and help raise funds for the Trust and the QCG regeneration project. Apart from dodging a couple of occasional showers nothing put a damper […]

NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2022 All members are cordially invited to attend the AGM to be held on Tuesday 21 June 6.15pm St Sidwell’s Primary School York Road Exeter 6.00pm Registration 6.15pm Business Meeting 6.45pm Close Click on the headings below to view/download documents: AGENDA MINUTES OF THE AGM 2021 THE ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENT DIRECTOR NOMINATION […]

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL QCG EVENT Our community once again came together on Saturday 25 September to take advantage of the pleasant early autumn weather and enjoy the much improved Queen’s Cresent Garden at our latest Book Sale. Thanks to all who supported the event we were able to raise much needed funds to enable the Trust […]