A long-running planning dispute surrounding one of North Devon’s best-known family attractions has finally been resolved after councillors confirmed what activities are legally allowed at The Big Sheep.
Torridge District Council has granted a Certificate of Existing Lawful Use or Development for parts of The Big Sheep site at Abbotsham near Bideford, following a lengthy review of the attraction’s complex planning history.
The decision formally confirms the lawful use of several areas of the site as a commercial farm theme park with rides, attractions and public entertainment, alongside ancillary facilities including parking, a café, shop and brewery.
The certificate also recognises lawful camping and campervan use on parts of the land for up to 60 days per calendar year, with a limit of 50 pitches.
The Big Sheep was originally established in 1988 after the Turner family diversified their farming business following construction of the A39 Atlantic Highway, which split the family farm in two.
Planning documents submitted as part of the application said the attraction had grown “organically” over nearly four decades from a working sheep farm attraction into a wider leisure and tourism business.
Richard Turner, director of The Big Sheep, said in evidence submitted to the appeal inquiry that the attraction now welcomes around 150,000 visitors a year.
He also claimed camping and caravan use on the site had taken place for many years, including rallies, festivals and overnight stays linked to events at the attraction. Supporting documents included historic invoices, emails and promotional material referring to camping activities dating back more than a decade.
The lawful development certificate followed an earlier refusal by the council, which had been appealed. A statement of common ground prepared ahead of the inquiry confirmed both parties agreed The Big Sheep had operated as a tourist attraction since 1987, although disagreements remained over the extent of camping and caravan use across parts of the site.
Planning officers later worked with the applicant to clarify the lawful status of different areas of the attraction.
At a Torridge planning meeting on Thursday, May 14, a planning officer described the process as “quite a difficult exercise” because of the number of historic permissions connected to the attraction.
The officer told councillors: “This certificate has actually established exactly what is authorised and it is broadly in line with what you would expect.”
Council records show The Big Sheep has been the subject of dozens of planning applications since the late 1980s, covering attractions, buildings, overflow parking and leisure activities.
The certificate was formally issued by Torridge District Council on Thursday, April 30.
