Exeter Civic Society thinks this would be a good time to start thinking of how to improve North Street, a street which could do with an uplift. Our society ran two workshops in Aug and Sep 2025 at the Mint Methodist Church Centre and in the Central Exeter Library. We are going to hit the road again in June 2026 with two events to further focus on what we think is are well needed improvements for this Exeter street with its rich history. This webpage will provide material for the discussion as well as organise (and document) a pathway for additional steps.

Since summer 2024 our Society has been alerted by increasing pressures put onto the Riverside Valley Park and other green sites along the river Exe in the city. Despite the recognition by Exeter City Council that these areas will be of increased importance to counterbalance large developments in the river valley, actual projects seem to undermine this. We started a media campaign to raise awareness, are in contact with developers and local councillors, and contacted ECC to get explanations and a rethink.

Since early 2024 our society engaged with others and run a campaign for the listing of Larkbeare House und Grounds. Larkbeare was put on the market by Devon County Council with the aim to support their finances with a potential sale. We were alarmed to see this strategic green site close to the centre of our city under a potential threat of development and started a report on the trees in the ground, had articles in 'Express & Echo', 'Devon Live' and coverage in the local BBC. Allied with the 'Devon Gardens Trust' we responded to Historic England's two round of consultations. And In August 2024 the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, included the grounds of Larkbeare House on Historic England's national Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest at Grade II. This still does not mean that the other features, the house, the garden steps and the gazebo in the grounds are protected. We will look into local listings for these.

This taskforce was set up by the 'Strategic Planning & Highways' Group and had its inaugural meeting on 26 Sep 2023. For its 'Terms of Reference' and the minutes/notes of meetings see the 'Documents' section on the right (or on small screens below).

Exeter Civic Society has a long history of commenting on traffic and transport issues in Exeter. A lot of the older material is stored in the 'Members' section of our website. In the 'Concern' section you can read about the Society's responses since 2023. Under 'Past Concerns' you find our discussion about the new bus station.

Exeter City Council ,East Devon Council and Teignbridge Council are in the process of writing the new “Local Plans”, which will form the basic planning document for the next 20 years, up to 2040.

Exeter Civic Society was challenged by Ian Collinson, ECC’s new Director of City Development, to provide in a pro-active approach a wider planning review for Haven Banks and Water Lane sites.

In 2013 the city council announced that they had entered into an agreement with developer The Crown Estate and their retail partners  to redevelop the whole site, including the replacement of some of the buildings in Paris Street and Sidwell Street. This was to be based on a set of Development Principles which was published in 2012, and was found acceptable by the society.

In October 2016, Exeter's most historic and beautiful hotel, the Royal St Clarence in the Cathedral Green, was destroyed in a devastating fire. Progress has been slow in developing plans for its restoration or redevelopment, but Exeter Civic Society are keenly interested in whatever happens. In September 2023 the planning application was approved, so hopefully building work will start soon. Update August 2025: Blue Plaque in the hotel and potential visit by our society 2 Dec 2025: ECS responds to Planning Application

In 2019 Exeter City Council received a planning application for the redevelopment of the shopping centre site to build a Hotel and a Co-living block. The proposals were for 298 co-living rooms with amenity space and 230 cycle spaces, and the hotel would have 114 bedrooms with restaurant and 42 parking spaces.

Follow the progress in development of the former Clifton Hill Sports Centre site and our efforts to ensure any suggested plans are suitable for the city and the site in general. The current plans are highly contentious and the Society are being proactive in our response.