The Exeter Green Party says claims about the benefits that John Lewis will bring to the city have been "hugely exaggerated".

In a public statement it also says environmental and social issues have either been an afterthought or ignored.

Below is the document in full taken from the party's website:

The opening of John Lewis in Exeter has resulted in some extraordinary claims about the benefits to the local economy. Andrew Bell , Exeter Green Party Policy Officer offers a reality check.

Firstly, I have nothing against John Lewis as a company; indeed...

Members keen to invest in the future of Exeter Rugby Club will be given the chance to see a detailed presentation on how to purchase preference shares in the club at next week's Special General Meeting to be held at Sandy Park.

At the club's recent AGM held on September 26, club members overwhelmingly approved motions authorising the issue of preference shares in Exeter Rugby Group Ltd in order to finance the further development of Sandy Park Stadium.

Now, on Wednesday evening (7.30pm), members and small investors will be able to gain a full insight into how to purchase...

Exeter Chiefs forward Tom Johnson has today been named in Stuart Lancaster's England squad for the for the first QBE International against Fiji at Twickenham Stadium on November 10.

The all-action back-row forward is one of 32 players who will meet at St George’s Park, Burton on Sunday, including James Haskell (London Wasps), Ugo Monye (Harlequins), Mako Vunipola (Saracens) and Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers) – all promoted from the England Saxons Elite Player Squad as injury replacements for Tom Croft, Ben Foden, Alex Corbisiero and Rob Webber respectively.

England Head...

Devon's position as the top recycling county in the UK is being celebrated this month to mark the 10 year anniversary of the Don't Let Devon go to waste campaign.

Devon enjoys a recycling rate of 55% (2010/11) making the county the highest recycler in the UK.

To celebrate its success and to thank the residents of Devon, the Devon Authorities Waste Reduction and Recycling Committee is hosting a special ceremony; The Recycle Devon Thank You awards.

The Committee would like residents to nominate those who they feel deserve a special thank you...

102 properties at Arena Park in Exeter are benefiting from a successful community composting site.

To help address fly tipping of garden waste, advice was gained from Devon County Council and the Community Composting Network back in February 2012 following residents' request at an estate walkabout. Devon & Cornwall Housing provided two ‘scotty hot box compost bins’ to see if this would help alleviate the problem.

Several months on and the scheme has proved so successful that the volunteer residents who oversee the site applied to their local councillors for funding...

Bicton College, Devon’s specialist land-based college, and The Dartington Hall Trust are to join forces to establish a new centre of educational excellence on the Dartington Hall estate.

‘Bicton College@Dartington’, a new and exciting partnership, will open up access to land-based education in Devon, strengthen the county’s reputation as a global leader in agricultural innovation and help to lay the foundations for a more sustainable farming future.

Alex Stevens, Senior Food and Farming Adviser, NFU in the South West commented "The NFU whole-...

At this time of year, many people’s thoughts will be turning towards the past, particularly to memories of lost loved ones.

One way to honour the memory of a lost loved one is by dedicating a light on the Hospiscare Tree of Light which will be situated on Cathedral Green.

The Tree of Light will be on Cathedral Green in Exeter. The Tree will be shining with lights given in dedication and will be lit every evening at dusk. The Book of Memories can be viewed at each church during each of the services, for full details see below....

Exeter Morris Men are inviting anyone who has ever considered having a go at Morris dancing to go along to their Open Evening at Ide Memorial Hall at 8pm on Thursday 25 October.

Now the dancing season has come to an end, the search is on to find more members to add to the thirty strong side and Exeter Morris would be especially interested to hear from younger dancers.

Morris dancing may be an ancient tradition but go to any summer fete, fair or countryside gathering and these flamboyant performers will still form a major part of the day’s activities. Yet some Morris dancing...

It wasn't quite the outcome he craved on his full debut for the Exeter Chiefs, but summer signing Damian Welch insists there were still plenty of positives to take from last Saturday's Heineken Cup loss to French giants Clermont Auvergne.

Recruited in the summer from Pool 5 rivals Scarlets, the imposing second row forward has had to bide his time to get his first taste of senior action with his new club. However, the 30-year-old's patience duly paid off when he was used as a second half replacement for James Hanks during Exeter's first-ever Heineken Cup fixture at Sandy Park....