The Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) has awarded a £598,860 grant to PassivSystems to develop a new heating platform with WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff that will lead to a reduction in energy demand, heat network operating costs and, ultimately, cut consumer heating bills.
The PassivSystems-designed smart home heating platform will be field tested in association with E.ON.
The new technology will introduce a direct digital link between homes and the energy centres that supply them with heat. This will be done through an in-home hub that collects data on heat...
Male badgers that spend their youth fighting tend to age more quickly than their passive counterparts according to new research from the University of Exeter.
The 35-year study revealed that male badgers living alongside a high density of other males grow old more quickly than those living with lower densities of males.
The results, which are published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, indicate that competition between males in early life accelerates ageing in later life, providing a potential explanation for why males age faster than females.
Devon County Councillors were met with a colourful and noisy protest by campaigners today as they met to agree £1.7m cuts to County bus services.
Councillors were greeted with a new version of the well-known children’s song, ‘The wheels on the bus’!
The protest was organised by Exeter Green Party who describe the cuts as ‘devastating’, particularly for the old, the young, job seekers and those unable to drive or who choose not to.
Diana Moore who organised the protest said: “The County’s own Equalities Impact Assessment makes clear, these cuts will have a...
Stephens Scown grows renewable energy team with new partner appointment
Leading South West law firm Stephens Scown has further expanded its growing renewable energy team with the appointment of a new partner. The firm has the largest dedicated renewables team in the South West, with eight specialist lawyers focussing solely on renewable energy work.
Alison Stock has joined the firm as a partner, joining from the Wellington office of Porter Dodson. Alison has over 25 years’ experience as a lawyer, based for most of her career in Cornwall.
Responding to today's budget, Steve Barriball, Chief Executive of leading local advice charity Exeter Citizens Advice Bureau, said: “Whilst this Budget provides help to the low paid, those at the sharp end of welfare cuts will really struggle. The growing economy needs to lead to a more secure future for all; whether you are starting out as self employed; a parent trying to balance work with childcare or someone who is in work but needs extra support.
“Ultimately a government serious about making significant savings to the welfare bill needs to tackle problems at the source...
Mark Twiggs says Exeter Chiefs players can expect to be ‘pushed to the limit’ during what will be a gruelling pre-season programme for the squad ahead of the new 2015/16 season.
With the Aviva Premiership set for a later start this term due to this autumn’s Rugby World Cup, the make-up of seasonal plans have been somewhat changed for all 12 top flight clubs in England.
Twiggs, who heads up the Strength & Conditioning department at the Chiefs, has spent much of the off season devising a structured training programme which he believes will ensure Rob Baxter’s team is in...
People in Exeter are being warned about a telephone scam.
Exeter City Council said that it had been contacted by a number of residents who had received calls from people claiming to be representing the City Council.
The caller then asks about claiming compensation for a car accident.
Exeter City Council said the calls were nothing to do with the local authority and the callers were not working on their behalf.
People are urged not to disclose any personal information and to hang up immediately.
It is understood that people in other parts of the UK...
Staff from LHC’s Exeter and Plymouth design studios have raised over £2,500 for one of the UK’s oldest charities, Devon based Hannahs.
The team of architects and urban designers cycled 58 miles and climbed 3750 feet of hills on Sunday, raising money towards a new £11,000 all-terrain wheelchair for the charity.
Twenty members of staff, including six of the company Directors completed the route, starting from the Exeter Design Studio on Exeter Business Park and finishing at the Plymouth Design Studio at Royal William Yard, visiting the two Hannah’s sites at Seale Hayne,...
Rugby's greatest prize, the Webb Ellis Cup, came to Dartmoor today as part of the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour.
The Webb Ellis Cup is visiting various locations around Devon, starting in Plymouth and finishing in Exeter on July 11, before continuing its journey around the country, finishing at Twickenham Stadium on September 18 ahead of the Opening Ceremony.
The Trophy is named after William Webb Ellis, credited as the inventor of Rugby Football, and is the prestigious prize for the sport. The Trophy Tour is part of the 100 day countdown to Rugby World Cup 2015 and has...
International materials handling company STILL UK has signed a deal for a new £5m facility at Hill Barton Business Park in Exeter.
Planning consent was granted in May for the new 5,100 sq m building that will become the UK HQ for the company. Contracts were exchanged last week.
Nick Smith, managing director of STILL UK, said: “STILL is delighted to have now legally committed to this exciting project.
“Working with Stuart Properties and JLL, we have designed our new facility, which will be our UK headquarters. This is great news for the business and particularly our...
