Plan for big expansion of Exeter unveiled

A massive expansion of Exeter is being planned as part of a reorganisation of local government.

Exeter City Council wants to expand into surrounding areas and take control of parts of East Devon, Teignbridge and Mid Devon.

The change would mean the population of Exeter would shoot up from about 129,000 to between 300,000 and 350,000.

The city council, along with Devon's seven district councils and Devon County Council will all cease to exist in the government's biggest shake-up of local government for more than 50 years.

The plans for Exeter are at odds with a plan supported by seven district council leaders for Devon to be split into three unitary authorities.

That plan would see an expanded Plymouth as one unitary authority, the South Hams, West Devon, Teignbridge and Torbay forming a second authority and Exeter, East Devon, Mid Devon, North Devon and Torridge joining up for a third.

According to Exeter City Council, about 35,000 people commute into the city on a daily basis with the University of Exeter, the Met Office and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital among the major employers.

Council leaders were asked by the government to work together to come up with a joint plan for how the county should be split into new unitary authorities.

Leaders in Devon have failed to come to a consensus on what the future should look like.

Plymouth announced its plans for expansion into the South Hams on Wednesday - hoping to increase its population from about 265,000 to 300,000.

Devon County Council was expected to reveal its plans later on Monday for how the county might be run in the future.

All of the interim plans need to be submitted to the government by 21 March.

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