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North Devon library makes shortlist for major book industry honour

Lewis Clarke
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North Devon library makes shortlist for major book industry honour

A north Devon library has been shortlisted for one of the book industry’s most prestigious honours, placing Barnstaple firmly on the national literary map.

Barnstaple Library has been named as a finalist in the Library of the Year category at the The British Book Awards 2026, it was announced today.

The recognition forms part of a nationwide shortlist of 42 libraries and library authorities across the UK and Ireland, praised for “delivering reading initiatives” and creating “welcoming, trusted” spaces for their communities.

Barnstaple Library is one of just two finalists in south-west England, alongside Cornwall Libraries, highlighting the strength of provision in the region.

The British Book Awards 2026 Library of the Year Award, sponsored by publisher DK and run in association with the Reading Agency, celebrates libraries that serve their readers and implement initiatives which reach deep into communities, improving lives through storytelling and literature.

Across the UK and Ireland, the 42 shortlisted libraries span eight regions and countries, including nine in north England and nine in London, eight in Scotland, five in east and south-east England, three in the Midlands, three in the island of Ireland and three in Wales.

Philip Jones, editor of The Bookseller and chair of the judges for The British Book Awards, said: “It was a record year for submissions building on the return of the Library of the Year award at last year’s ceremony.

“This cohort are focused on reading, growing book borrowing, and widening their reach. Ahead of The National Year of Reading, this was vital work, vitally done.”

Karen Napier, chief executive of The Reading Agency, said: “The calibre of submissions for this year’s Library of the Year Award has been inspiring. Across the country, public libraries are making a real and positive difference, with imagination, ambition and a deep understanding of the communities they serve.

“Our finalists have demonstrated how libraries continue to deliver impactful reading initiatives while also acting as welcoming, trusted spaces where people can connect, learn, create and thrive.

“This year in particular, we’ve seen bold thinking in action: creative approaches to widening access, strong partnerships that amplify local impact, and a clear commitment to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to experience the power of reading.

“During the National Year of Reading, these libraries exemplify what a modern public library can be – resilient, responsive and rooted in community, with reading at the centre of everything they do.”

Paul Kelly, chief executive of DK, said: “We’re so proud to sponsor the Library of the Year Award for the second year running. Public libraries play a vital role in nurturing reading for pleasure, widening access to books and strengthening communities.

“At a time when the National Year of Reading is shining a spotlight on the power of books to change lives, it’s inspiring to see libraries across the UK leading with such creativity, commitment and impact.

“These finalists represent the very best of what modern libraries can achieve; ensuring that reading remains accessible, relevant and transformative for all.”

Regional and country winners will be announced on Thursday, March 12, with the overall winner revealed during The British Book Awards ceremony at Grosvenor House in London on Monday, May 11 2026.

The awards, also known as the “Nibbies”, have been running since 1990 and are regarded as the leading honours for the UK book trade.

Plans for new council housing projects in Exeter welcomed

Exeter City Council
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Plans for new council housing projects in Exeter welcomed

Creating quality new council housing continues to be a key priority for Exeter, the city’s Lead Councillor for Housing said. 

Cllr Marina Asvachin welcomed plans for the next phase of the Vaughan Road/Whipton Gardens scheme. 

She also welcomed major improvements to council-owned properties in St Thomas, with work about to get underway. 

With the successful completion of the first phase of 35 homes and a communal room for the over 60’s at Vaughan Road, the council is now finalising the arrangements for the next phase. 

The second phase of the scheme will deliver another 16 homes for people in housing need in Exeter. 

The final phase, once started, will deliver another 40 new homes, including eight fully wheelchair accessible one-bedroom apartments, for those in need of this specialist accommodation. 

Eventually, the three phases of the development will provide 91 new homes, with high-quality landscaping for the benefit of all residents. 

Cllr Asvachin said: “I recently met the residents moving into the first phase of this fantastic development, and it was obvious how much this means to them. 

“It is great news that the next phase is due to start shortly. These are top quality, highly energy-efficient homes which are economical to run and great to live in. 

“Creating new council housing is so important for Exeter, and I am pleased that the council is committed to delivering pioneering developments like this one.” 

The project has received funding by HM Government through the Brownfield Land Release Fund (BLRF2). 

Major improvements are also being carried out to council properties in St Thomas. 

The Laings project refers to the demolition and rebuilding of several non-traditional construction Laings Easi-form constructed houses that are still in the council’s ownership. 

The homes are located in Merrivale Road, Newman Road, Oak Road, Myrtle Road and Bowhay Lane. These homes are being demolished and rebuilt on a slightly larger footprint in a modern layout and will be fit for purpose for the foreseeable future. 

The final phase of the project is due to commence soon and will finish off the remaining seven properties in Newman Road and Merrivale Road. It will add to the 12 properties that have already been completed. 

The project has suffered delays over recent years, but last year the council approved the budget required to complete the remaining properties. 

Sidmouth-based Skinner Construction has been appointed to undertake the work following a procurement process to find a main contractor which was completed in January. 

The council has worked with Skinner Construction on a previous project and were impressed by the standard of work undertaken. 

The works are due to start in March, and completion of the seven houses is expected at the end of 2026. 

The council has updated local residents, and the contractor will update on activities and progress until the project is completed. 

Cllr Asvachin said: “This project has been a long time coming, but it is great news that seven new family homes will be added back into the overall council housing stock, which can be let to families in need for decades to come. 

“As well as creating new homes we are continuing our programme of retrofitting our existing stock so that homes cost less to run, reduce carbon emissions and are warm and comfortable for our tenants.” 

Body found on Dartmoor in search for missing Newton Ferrers man

Devon and Cornwall Police
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Body found on Dartmoor in search for missing Newton Ferrers man

Police searching for a missing person from Newton Ferrers have located a man deceased on Dartmoor.

Formal identification is yet to be carried out but officers believe the man to be 63-year-old Jonathan Brunton who was reported missing on

Tuesday. Jonathan’s family have been informed of this development.

His death is not being treated as suspicious, and a file will be prepared for the coroner.

Campaigners demand rethink over Devon library changes

Lewis Clarke
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Campaigners demand rethink over Devon library changes

Placards were raised, voices carried across the crowd and a letter was handed directly to council leaders as campaigners warned that Devon’s libraries are facing a “devastating impact” under proposed changes that could reduce staffed opening hours by around 30 per cent.

A public consultation into the future of Devon’s 50 libraries is due to close on Sunday, February 23 , with more than 20,000 responses submitted so far, according to councillors. The proposals, put forward by Devon County Council, include reducing staffed core opening hours from 1,294 hours and 45 minutes per week to 914 hours and 30 minutes per week – just over 70 per cent of current provision.

The authority is also exploring greater use of volunteers, community-managed libraries and unstaffed access for registered users. It has said it is committed to keeping all libraries open and has set aside £1 million for “transformation and community-led improvement”.

Devon’s library service is run by the charity Libraries Unlimited. According to the council, libraries have more than 110,000 active users, with children the most engaged group, and recorded 2.6 million visits last year.

Among those addressing the crowd on Wednesday, February 18 was Solomon Elliott, organiser of the Save Devon’s Libraries Campaign.

“I started my career as an English teacher and I’m a primary school governor in Exeter and most importantly of all, I’m the father of my daughter Anna, who’s in that pram over there,” he said.

“Every week she goes to bounce and rhyme with her mum at local libraries across Exeter, but she cannot speak yet. But if she could, she would say a few things.

“The first thing she’d say is, I love the library because it’s the place where I sing nursery rhymes. It’s the place where I get to take my favourite books home and it’s the place where mummy chats with her friends while I play with mine.”

Solomon questioned the timing of budget discussions taking place while the consultation remained open.

“We’ve been told this is a public consultation. We’ve been told no decisions have been made. We’ve been told that Devon County Council is asking for our views, but what’s happening does not match those claims,” he said.

Referring to the proposed reduction in funding from around £7 million to £6.5 million, he added: “They’ve already made their decision way before the consultation is closed, and also before it opened on December 1 as well.

“These cuts will have a devastating impact on our library staff. Many already work second jobs, many are already under financial strain. Cutting hours means cutting income.

“Our libraries are not failing, they are thriving.”

He said campaigners would continue to press for the proposals to be withdrawn.

“In half an hour or so, we’re going to deliver you a letter calling for these proposals to be scrapped and until that happens, we’ll keep turning up, we’ll keep speaking out and we’ll keep demanding that Devon County Council keeps their hands off our libraries.”

Solomon hands over a letter to Cllr Cottle-Hunkin

A full council meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 24 .

Cllr Duncan Wood, Exeter City councillor for Pinhoe, said his local branch currently opens for 15 hours over five days but could be reduced to six hours over two days.

“That’s two three-hour slots,” he said. “How many people can fit in exactly three hours, twice a week?

“Currently the libraries are thriving. Currently they’re in our communities where they matter. If we drop it down to just one or two key buildings, we are really failing in providing a service.”

David McClaren, from Topsham, said his local library was currently open for ten hours per week and could fall to six.

“The place is absolutely heaving on the days that it’s open,” he said. “There’s definitely a demand and it should be kept and the hours should be increased, not decreased.”

He also raised concerns about proposed hours coinciding with school times.

“A valuable resource for children,” he said.

Sian Smith, from Ottery St Mary, said 93 people had attended a recent protest in her town.

“We think of our library as amazing value for money,” she said. “We have 35 activities and services every week. Thirty-five for that amount of money is just crazy value.”

She described the library as a “community hub” and a safe space for families, including those with special needs.

“We are very proud of our library and we are very proud of our staff,” she added. “We are not going to let it go.”

Tim Bridger, chair of the Friends at Tiverton Library, said the proposed savings represented a small proportion of the council’s overall budget.

“These are trivial amounts of money that will have incredible knock-on costs,” he said. “The amount this saves will be dwarfed by the impact on our community.”

Genevieve Bailey, a student at Exeter University, said libraries were “a lifeline” for young people.

“Reducing the opening hours of libraries across Devon is absolutely ridiculous,” she said. “You’re asking young people to succeed while taking away the very place that makes that success possible.”

She added: “Libraries are not a luxury, they’re a lifeline.”

Sue Aves, a resident of Exeter, said libraries had provided a safe space for her children as they grew up.

“If ever there was a problem, they would go there,” she said. “It is a safe place for everybody of all ages.”

Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, cabinet member for rural affairs and broadband at Devon County Council, said libraries were “not an optional extra or a luxury”.

“They’re a lifeline for many,” she said. “They are places of opportunity, learning, connection and safety.”

Cllr Cottle-Hunkin said the council was not closing any of its 50 libraries and had announced an additional £425,000 to support delivery of the service, alongside a £1 million reserve to support transformation and rural hubs.

“We are not actually cutting funding, but we do need to look at ways to provide the library service differently,” she said.

“The consultation is still underway while we’re having to set a balanced budget.

“We will consider the consultation results thoughtfully and carefully and importantly we will do so now with a funding position that backs up that commitment with a genuine intent to make this work.”

She added: “I know that there is a positive future for every single library here in Devon. So we have committed to not closing any.”

The consultation can be accessed online at https://devonlibraries.commonplace.is/

Towering net proposed to save locals from cricket ball thwacks

Lewis Clarke
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Towering net proposed to save locals from cricket ball thwacks

A prominent cricket ground in Honiton could see 16-metre-high ball stop netting installed along one boundary under new plans submitted to the council, aimed at reducing the risk of cricket balls entering a neighbouring housing development.

Honiton Cricket Club has applied for permission to erect netting at Mountbatten Park Sports and Social Club, Ottery Moor Lane, Honiton EX14 1AR. The proposals relate to land shared with the town’s football club and include a clubhouse, changing rooms and a car park.

According to the Design and Access Statement, Honiton cricket club “is located at Mountbatten Park at Ottery Moor Lane in Honiton. It runs two mens teams along with a number of youth cricket teams” . The club “shares its ground with the towns football club along with the facilities which comprise a clubhouse, changing rooms and a car park” and has “been in this location since the early 1980s.”

The application seeks to erect ball stop netting on the north side of the ground, adjacent to a new residential scheme.

The statement explains: “The club wishes to erect some ball stop netting on the north side of the ground where the new Taylor Wimpey development is being constructed. The netting will reduce the risk of cricket balls being lost in the new residential development and also reduce the risk of them striking, dwellings, residents etc.”

The netting is see through so would have no adverse impact or shading on the neighbouring properties

The system would consist of “a net suspended between posts with some primary wires that would allow the see through ball stop netting to be hung” . The applicant says the netting “is see through so would have no adverse impact or shading on the neighbouring properties” and that it “would also be taken down during the winter months outside of the cricket season which is from April until September” .

The scope of the scheme has been informed by a specialist assessment. The statement notes: “The scope and nature of the proposals have been determined by specialists LABOSPORTS who have prepared the attached ball strike report. These proposals mirror those recommendations.”

A detailed Cricket Ball Strike Assessment prepared by Labosport Ltd examines the potential for balls to clear the boundary and recommends mitigation.

In its executive summary, the report states: “This report has been prepared to assess the potential risk of cricket balls surpassing the boundaries of a cricket pitch at Honiton Cricket Club and advise on the height and location of mitigation recommended to provide a suitable level of protection.”

The assessment concludes that for the east orientation, a mitigation height of 16 metres is recommended “based on recreational cricket” . It adds: “This may not stop all shots from landing beyond the site boundary, but it is believed from the assessment of the ball trajectory it will significantly reduce their frequency.”

The report explains that recreational cricket is played on the site and that its modelling is based on that level of play. It states: “For recreational level cricket the basis of the shot velocity is 40 m/s. For recreational level cricket the basis of the ‘late cut’ or ‘late glance’ type shots is 30 m/s. It is on this basis that the recommendations in this report have been made.”

In assessing distances, the study identifies the shortest boundary as the east side, measuring “circa 44.01 m” from the closest stump to the site boundary . Under its mitigation recommendations, the overall height advised at that point is “16 m high” .

The consultants also note that planting cannot be relied upon as a protective measure, stating that trees or hedges “may not be sufficiently dense to stop the ball, nor homogeneous across the length” and may change seasonally or be removed .

The proposals are designed to address safety and amenity concerns arising from the proximity of new housing to the cricket ground, while enabling continued recreational use of the pitches.

The applicant maintains that the netting’s see-through design would avoid adverse visual impact or shading, and that its seasonal removal outside April to September would limit its presence for part of the year .

The Labosport report also makes clear that while mitigation will “significantly reduce” the frequency of balls leaving the site, it “may not stop all shots” , reflecting what it describes as a proportionate approach to risk.

Historic Golden Hind to stay closed pending further safety work

Lewis Clarke
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Historic Golden Hind to stay closed pending further safety work

A historic replica ship remains closed after harbour officials called for further work on its gangplank, but its owners insist there is “light at the end of the tunnel” and hope to welcome visitors back in time for Easter.

The Golden Hind, docked in Brixham Harbour, announced on Tuesday, February 17, that it has not yet been given permission to reopen following discussions with harbour authorities and engineers.

In a post shared on social media, the attraction said: “Ahoy shipmates! So an update as promised! So unfortunately we have not been given to go ahead to reopen as the harbours have requested additional work to be done on the replacement gangplank after a meeting with the engineers who tested it.”

The statement continued: “So a lot more positive this evening and a lot more light at the end of the tunnel. We will look at what we have to do and have a rummage around the ship to see if we can find any of Sir Francis’s treasure but will do our utmost to have the ship up and running by the Easter Holidays.

“Thank you to everyone for their support and love for the ship and Brixham, it does mean an awful lot.”

The update follows the vessel’s sudden closure with immediate effect due to health and safety concerns. The attraction’s owner previously told said recent stormy weather had damaged the ship’s gangway plank, prompting him to build a replacement.

However, Brixham’s harbour authority raised safety concerns after the new gangplank was tested, leading to the continued closure while further work is carried out.

The Golden Hind was built in 1988 as a replica of the Tudor vessel sailed by Sir Francis Drake in the sixteenth century. The original ship became famous after Drake completed the first circumnavigation of the globe by an Englishman between 1577 and 1580, returning with a cargo of gold, silver and jewels.

Drake, who was born in Tavistock in about 1540, later became mayor of Plymouth and served as an MP. He also played a key role in the defence against the Spanish Armada and died in 1596 off the coast of Panama at the age of 56.

Today, the Brixham-based replica operates as an educational visitor attraction, hosting pirate-themed festivals and weddings. It also offers overnight stays on board as part of an “Air b-n-Sea” experience.

In an earlier announcement, the owners said the closure was not their decision, adding: “This is not a decision we have taken but have higher powers to answer to.”

They have now said they are working to meet the harbour’s requirements and aim to reopen in time for the Easter holidays.

Appeal after man found with severe injuries in Torquay

Devon and Cornwall Police
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Appeal after man found with severe injuries in Torquay

We are appealing for information after a man was found badly injured in Torquay.

At around 3.15am on Saturday 31 January a 27-year-old man approached door staff at Park Lane on Torwood Street.

The man had muddy footprints on his clothing and severe injuries to his face, including multiple fractures and swelling to the left side of his head and face, and bleeding behind his eye. 

He has no recollection of what happened to him. 

He was last seen on CCTV leaving the Apple & Parrot uninjured at 2.16am and then running up an alleyway towards Parkhill Road a minute later.

Officers investigating the incident are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the man in the missing time period, or who has any information or relevant footage which may be able to help understand how he sustained the injuries. 

The man is described as a white male, of average build, 5ft 10ins tall and with a bald head. 

He was wearing a white t-shirt with a dark grey/black buttoned up jacket/shirt, black trousers, black and purple shoes.

Anybody able to assist is asked to get in touch via 101 or our website quoting 50260025672

New pool pods to boost access for swimmers in Mid Devon

Mid Devon District Council
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New pool pods to boost access for swimmers in Mid Devon

Active Mid Devon has taken a major step to improving its accessibility for swimmers, with the purchase of two Pool Pods, state-of-the-art pieces of equipment designed to help more people get into the water safely, comfortably, and with dignity.

The Pool Pod 3.0 is a discreet, fully automated pool lift that allows swimmers with reduced mobility, disabilities, or additional support needs to get into and out of the pool independently. The new system replaces older equipment, such as hoists, and will make swimming in Mid Devon more inclusive for everyone in the community.

Councillor Josh Wright, Cabinet Member for Service Delivery and Continuous Improvement, said: “This is a really exciting improvement for our pools. Swimming should be something everyone can enjoy, regardless of physical ability and the Pool Pod gives people more independence and confidence to get into the water. We are continually investing in making swimming a better experience for all our swimmers and investing in this equipment, at both our pools, will be a huge improvement for so many people.”

The Pool Pod 3.0 operates at the touch of a button, lowering the user gently into the pool before returning to its original position when they are finished. When not in use, it sits discreetly on the poolside, ensuring minimal impact on other swimmers.

The pods have been funded in part from Sport England and the National Lottery which provided £15,000 towards the purchase and installation of the pods.

Swimming instructors and staff at Active Tiverton and Active Crediton have been given training in how to use the pod and support swimmers and are keen to encourage people who have been reluctant to use the pool to try the equipment.

Andy Mackie, Operations Manager for Leisure, said: “We think the Pool Pod will be very well received by existing swimmers who need support and we also hope it will encourage swimmers, who have been reluctant to use our pools because of their disability, to visit Active Mid Devon. It really is a great piece of equipment and a vast improvement on our current set up.”

The investment in the Pool Pod 3.0 forms part of a broader commitment to improving accessibility across Active Mid Devon’s facilities, with improved poolside changing rooms and Changing Places toilets.

The Pool Pods are due to be installed this week and be available for use once staff have been fully trained to support users.

Devon CPRE says “enough is enough” after approval of 157 new solar farms

CPRE Devon
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Devon CPRE says “enough is enough” after approval of 157 new solar farms

Devon CPRE’s response to yesterday’s announcement that the Government has approved 157 new solar farms and the largest onshore wind scheme in England for a decade (Cornwall’s Imerys Wind Farm)

Comments from Devon CPRE’s Chair Steve Crowther: “These headlines are shocking; however, actually these 157 solar farms already have planning permission. We do all need to now say ‘enough is enough’ before our countryside is desecrated beyond recognition, with nothing left to enjoy or protect. 

“The government keeps pushing out the line about how more wind and solar will lower everybody’s electricity bills.  But we all know the opposite is true. Do they think the public are fools? The boss of British Gas has warned that electricity in Britain is on track to cost more in 2030 than it did during the energy crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“The original ethos behind all renewable energy schemes was that they would be ‘temporary blights on the landscape’, typically for about 25 years. As solar panels age, their efficiency decreases by between ½ and 1% per year. After about 30 years the benefit from a solar farm falls to such an extent that it can no longer be argued that it outweighs the harm to the landscape and the loss of productive farmland. ‘Indefinite’ consents are presented as meaning that the equipment will be removed when it has fully decayed; but in practice it means that they will be constantly replaced with new equipment. Indefinite effectively means ‘in perpetuity’.

“Our thoughts about another large wind farm in Cornwall? Unprintable! Devon CPRE led the opposition to numerous onshore wind turbines and wind farms over a decade ago.  The landscape, particularly in north west Devon where there are so many, has been fundamentally altered. And now wind turbines are getting much taller, so they have significantly more impact over a wider area.

“We know that rural communities don’t want these huge wind and solar developments imposed on them. Yet so often their opinions count for nothing. There’s nothing democratic about a planning system that allows this to happen.”

Extract from a recent Devon CPRE e-bulletin: “There is now a further sign that the battle to retain Devon’s landscape of prime grassland rather than glass-and-steel is going to intensify.

One of the arguments which has consistently been used to justify the handing over of farmland to solar energy is that this is just a temporary change of use. Originally, 20 years, then 30, then 40 years was the ‘temporary’ period for which permission was applied. It was argued that the land would be returned to agriculture unharmed, and even apparently enhanced, at the end of that permitted duration.

Well, we have now received notice of two applications to convert those ‘temporary’ consents into ‘indefinite’ periods of time; one in Shebbear in Torridge and the second near Morchard Bishop in Mid Devon. While the former argues on a commercial basis, the latter comes with an attempted environmental justification, claiming that solar farms have three times more birds than arable farmland. This claim is based on a study by Cambridge University; one wonders whether it was conducted on the flatlands of East Anglia or the rich hedged pastures of Devon.

Both of these applications state that the land will be returned to agriculture ‘when the solar farm ceases to generate electricity’. But that will only happen if decaying solar equipment is not replaced. If it is, the ‘indefinite’ term will be effectively ‘in perpetuity’. “

Devon CPRE supports Westleigh residents facing a planning appeal over controversial new homes

CPRE Devon
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Devon CPRE supports Westleigh residents facing a planning appeal over controversial new homes

Villagers in the historic rural settlement of Westleigh in North Devon are facing a planning appeal brought by the Christie Estate, which wants to build a cluster of new houses in the village on a site that locals say is highly unsuitable for numerous environmental and heritage reasons.

With the backing of Devon CPRE, the local charity that campaigns to protect Devon from inappropriate development, last year residents successfully opposed an outline planning application to construct nine houses just outside Westleigh’s conservation area. Residents made well-argued objections to North Devon District Council, saying that the construction phase alone would ‘cause havoc’ in the settlement of just 69 homes, threatening the precarious existence of the community’s WWI village hall, as well as the Grade-II-listed thatched dwelling known as Rock Cottage. They also said it would result in the destruction of an established Devon Bank hedge, a habitat frequented by ten species of bat, four of them endangered.

Last August villagers organised their own traffic survey of the narrow lane leading to the proposed development site because the applicant had not submitted traffic details with the initial outline planning proposal.

Westleigh – Rock Cottage and threatened hedgerow viewed from the north (photo supplied by Brian Lees)

To the delight of villagers and Devon CPRE, North Devon District Council resoundingly refused the planning application, deeming it an unsuitable location for new open-market residential development that would not meet local housing need and would cause harm to the character and appearance of the area.

Now Westleigh is once again steeling itself for battle after the Christie Estate lodged an appeal against NDDC’s decision and submitted slightly modified plans, including reducing the house at the entrance of the development to a single-storey to make it less overbearing and to mitigate the impact on Rock Cottage. The matter was discussed at last week’s Parish Council meeting. It was resolved that the new plans would be examined closely so that parish councillors and residents can start to prepare their responses. All comments must be submitted by 4th March 2026. 

Former North Devon MP Selaine Saxby spoke at the meeting. She said, “Our MP is now in the same building as Steve Reed, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, who will consider the appeal. We should contact Ian Roome asking him to write a letter of support to express the strength of feeling within the local community, backed by CPRE.”

Concerns were voiced about the amount of green land that is being swallowed up locally for housing, and the possibility that the site could be taken on by a developer who would seek greater housing density. One resident asked, “Why should our village be desecrated because big developers aren’t putting in enough affordable housing on big greenfield developments?”

Devon CPRE Director Penny Mills says, “Westleigh is a very attractive little settlement that overlooks the Taw-Torridge estuary and is mentioned in the Doomsday book. Much of the village is designated a conservation area. Last year residents made it very clear that they think the proposed development of houses is inappropriate because of the location and the road layout. We agreed with them and so did North Devon District Council. It’s so difficult for small rural communities to make their voices heard because of their population size. We hope the Planning Inspector will listen to them as NDDC did, and the appeal will be turned down.”

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