Exeter

Scheme helps 9,000 SW people buy new home

Help to Buy, the government’s flagship housing scheme, has helped 88,420 people buy a new home (9,045 in the South West) since it was created, new figures have revealed today.

Since the launch of the Help to Buy equity loan and mortgage guarantee schemes:

• 80% of scheme completions have been made by first-time buyers • the average house price has been £185,000, significantly below the national average • Over 80,000 people have bought a home through the scheme • 94% of Help to Buy completions take place outside of London • Over half of Help to Buy completions have been for...

Doggy duo seek new home

Local RSPCA Little Valley Animal Shelter based just outside Exeter are desperately seeking a new home for a very special pair of dogs currently in their care.

Meet Molly and Ginger, a beautiful pair of 4 and 5 year old Rhodesian Ridgeback crossbreeds. Molly is Ginger’s mum and they have an incredibly close bond – they sleep together, play together and have very much relied on each other to help them through their difficult time in kennels.

These lovely, bubbly ladies are firm favourites at the Shelter due to their kind and affectionate nature. They give such an excitable...

Old mothers know best: killer whale study sheds light on the evolution of menopause

A new study led by the Universities of Exeter and York has shown that female killer whales survive after menopause because they help their family members find food during hard times. This research provides insights into why women continue to live long after they can no longer have children. Menopause is one of nature’s greatest mysteries. Most animals die around the same time they stop reproducing. Killer whales are one of just three species – alongside humans and another type of whale – where females continue to live for many years after giving birth to their last baby. Female killer...

Police appeal for witnesses to hit and run

Police in Tiverton are appealing for any witnesses to an incident that took place on or near Barrington Street at around 6.30pm on Tuesday 3 March.

It is understood that a local man in his late twenties was in collision with a white Ford Transit van, as a pedestrian.

It is believed that an altercation took place with the pedestrian and the van drove off.

A police spokesperson said: “Detectives are keen to hear from anybody who may have witnessed this incident, partially or fully.

"Officers are trying to piece together events and are appealing to anyone who...

Exeter's RAMM could get a gift shop

Been to Exeter, visited the Museum...... got the t-shirt?

Visitors to Exeter's Royal Albert Memorial Museum might soon be able to boast just that as the City Council, who run the award-winning attraction are looking at the possibility of installing a gift shop inside.

The Museum in Queen Street hasn't had a shop for years - RAMM had one before the refurbishment but since reopening, browsing and buying opportunities have been limited to items such as guide books, badges, pencils soft toys and postcards sold from wheeled stands in the garden entrance reception area.

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Soaring SW house prices leave first time buyers almost £63,000 out of pocket

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Thu, 03/05/2015 - 12:53pm

The widening gap between house prices and wages means that first time buyers living in the South West of England are having to pay almost £63,000 more for a home, new research from Shelter reveals today.

The charity’s analysis shows that if the average income of a first time buyer and average house prices had remained in line in the region, those lucky enough to get a foot on the property ladder would be paying almost £63,000 – or 37% – less for their first home.

With average house prices in the South West now ten times the average wage, compared to just six times fifteen...

Flybe opens new base at Cardiff Airport

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Thu, 03/05/2015 - 12:46pm

Flybe, Europe's largest regional airline, has today announced it is to open a new base at Cardiff Airport.

The airline will serve 11 destinations in the UK and Europe this summer and base two of its existing Embraer E195 aircraft at the Airport. One of these 118-seat aircraft will arrive at Cardiff in June and the second in September 2015.

This announcement will result in the creation of 50 jobs, including flight crew and ground handling staff.

Flybe will offer flights to Belfast, Cork, Dublin, Düsseldorf, Edinburgh, Faro, Glasgow, Jersey, Munich, Milan Malpensa,...

New face of education at Trill

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Thu, 03/05/2015 - 10:04am

The Trill Trust, the educational charity based on Trill Farm in Axminster, has appointed its first Director of Education, Jolyon Chesworth, to lead its programme of opportunities for people to become inspiring leaders of sustainable and environmental practice, focused on the food, health and energy issues that face the world.

Jolyon’s role will be to develop and implement a strategy for education at Trill using the beautiful habitats and wildlife on the farm as the basis of learning; to manage and promote the annual programme of courses and events hosted at Trill Farm; and to...

Enterprise Development Strategy for Cranbrook

Cranbrook’s keenly anticipated draft Enterprise Development Strategy (EDS) has now been received by East Devon District Council. The strategy was commissioned by the council alongside the community-led Our Place plan from independent consultants Ash Futures Ltd, in order that the two initiatives could work together, helping both the council and the community build a better and more economically viable Cranbrook. The Our Place plan is an entirely community driven strategy, which was commissioned by the community for the community. It sets out how a community enterprise company could assist...

Council plan to reduce flood risk to properties

Thousands of homes and businesses will have their flood risk reduced with the potential work Devon County Council is involved in delivering over the coming years.

Devon County Council’s Cabinet will be asked next week (Wednesday 11 March) to approve the flood risk action plan for the coming financial year.

The proposed Action Plan for 2015/16 includes a number of schemes that will benefit in excess of 200 properties, while a number of proactive studies for future schemes is being developed in line with Defra’s 6 year programme.

Around 150 properties have already...

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