Lord Hogan-Howe, who faced repeated calls to resign when head of the Met., is now providing “strategic and tactical advice” to Devon and Cornwall Police. And her old buddy Mark Kingscote (see this 2017 EDW post) as Deputy Commissioner against the advice of a scrutiny committee, in a repeat of 2017. Although she eventually did a U-turn in 1017! – Owl

Lord Hogan-Howe is giving Devon and Cornwall Police “strategic and tactical advice”

Ben Woolvin www.bbc.co.uk

A former top police officer has been appointed as an adviser to Devon and Cornwall Police following the suspension of its Chief Constable.

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Alison Hernandez told councillors at a Police and Crime Panel on Friday in Plymouth that Lord Hogan-Howe, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner from 2011 to 2017, would help in a strategic and tactical way.

She said the decision was taken after Chief Constable Will Kerr’s suspension in July 2023 when he was accused of serious sexual offences, which he denies.

Ms Hernandez added she was not expecting any result from the investigation into Mr Kerr “any time soon”, but was hopeful a decision would be made this year.

Last year, the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland said it was investigating “allegations of serious sexual offences” made against Mr Kerr, who used to be an Assistant Chief Constable for the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

In June, the Ombudsman said its investigation had been completed and a file had been submitted to the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland.

Ms Hernandez said Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland had told her they would give her another update in September.

Mr Kerr, who strenuously denied “any allegations of criminality” when the investigation was launched, has been suspended on full pay for nearly 12 months.

‘Gee things up’

Ms Hernandez said following Mr Kerr’s suspension, Devon and Cornwall was struggling with “all of the things you would expect to be the bread and butter of a police force”.

She reminded councillors of the concerns raised by inspectors about the quality of its investigations and the time taken to respond to calls and attend incidents.

Philip Hackett, an independent councillor at Torridge Council, asked the PCC to explain why taxpayers in Devon and Cornwall were “paying for someone who was suspended and may be suspended for some time”.

Ms Hernandez said she was expecting to make a decision regarding the role of Chief Constable “at some point this year”.

She said that Lord Hogan-Howe was giving “strategic and tactical advice” to her and the acting Chief Constable Jim Colwell.

“We want to see what we can do to gee things up, create that pace, and see what more we could be doing,” she said.

In a separate development, Ms Hernandez said she was making Mark Kingscote a Deputy Commissioner.

Mr Kingscote is a retired NHS mental health support worker who used to be a Conservative councillor in the same ward as Ms Hernandez in Torbay.

The panel voted to recommend the PCC did not appoint her chosen candidate as he did not meet the minimum requirements for the role, but Ms Hernandez said she would not accept the recommendation.

Defending her decision, Ms Hernandez said she felt it was the right move to bring in Mr Kingscote, especially during Mr Kerr’s ongoing suspension.

She said: “I’m excited to be able to appoint Mark Kingscote today and he will help me on developing my street operational focus on tackling anti-social behaviour.

“He’ll help build capacity in the leadership team while we’ve got the absence of a chief constable and the police are having their performance issues,” she added.

See also Radio Exe

Your weekend’s reading!

(See bottom of post for an interesting reference to Cranbrook) – Owl

Devon is “running out of housing options” and urgent action is needed to tackle the dramatic numbers of families priced out of markets having to be placed in temporary accommodation, a new report warns.

Kerra Maddern news.exeter.ac.uk

Members of the Devon Housing Commission say the housing crisis in Devon is having consequences for public services and the economy; and creating extra challenges for hard-pressed care and health services.

They have called for central and local government, with social housing partners, to redouble efforts to provide more truly affordable homes for the people of Devon.

In order to get more homes in the right places there needs to be better resourcing of planning departments, special measures for rural and coastal communities and a county-wide Development Corporation for major developments.

The report also recommends homebuyers over pension age should get an exemption from Stamp Duty. This could also help solve issues in the county by helping older people find a “right-sized” property.

The Government should also introduce a new planning use class for all short-term/holiday lettings and local authorities should be able to limit them in areas where growth is proving detrimental to the community.

The Housing Commission – which has been established by the Devon Housing Task Force, is a partnership between the ten local authorities across Devon, including Torbay and the County Council – and is supported by the University of Exeter.

Their report calls for the Government to press ahead with the registration of short-term lettings and for district councils in Devon and Torbay Council to take advantage of the new opportunity to double Council Tax on second homes [following the lead taken by EDDC – Owl]. This extra Council Tax could help the funding needed to address housing challenges.

The report outlines how the housing emergency in Devon is caused by high house and rental prices and lower incomes in Devon. House prices are inflated by those moving from more expensive areas. Middle-aged and older people are moving in while younger people are leaving. This leads to employers having difficulties filling vacancies and key workers being unable to afford to live near their place of work.  

Lord Richard Best, Chair of the Commission, said: “There is a real housing crisis in this county. The problem is an acute shortage of homes affordable for the next generation. 

“Homeownership is beyond the reach of first-time buyers and it is virtually impossible for those on average incomes or less to obtain a rented home that is both available and affordable. Devon is simply running out of any housing options. 

“This is best illustrated by the dramatic rise in numbers of people, particularly children, that councils have had to place in temporary accommodation, and the consequent, alarming increase in costs borne by Devon’s local authorities. This represents a real emergency.” 

Commissioners found in some areas of Devon the amount of privately rented housing has declined by substantially more than elsewhere, partly because long-term lettings for locals have been switched to short-term Airbnb-style lettings for tourists. 

But the report says “significant inroads” could be made in easing shortages and delivering affordable homes at the scale required.  

The report calls for a new Devon-wide Housing Strategy that sets out goals and a roadmap to achieve them over the next decade and beyond. There should be a successor body to the current Devon Housing Task Force comprising representatives of Devon’s local authorities to monitor progress and work with the proposed Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority (CCA). This new authority should sponsor a new Development Corporation to act as a Master Developer to acquire land and raise private finance, reducing reliance upon housebuilders.

Other recommendations include:

• Councils should make maximum use of the Rural Exception Sites model and demonstrate flexibility in enabling village schemes for local people, including by sometimes permitting a small minority of homes to be sold in return for a very modest land cost for the affordable housing.
• Government should permit the imposition of a stricter timetable for action where planning consent is granted but development has stalled.
• Local authorities should be given greater discretion to call in any significant development using permitted rights to avoid inferior standards, to impose stronger prior approval requirements, and to allow the levying of developer contributions.
• The Government should introduce the measures to improve the private rented sector contained in the earlier Renters (Reform) Bill including ending “no-fault” evictions and creating a landlords’ ombudsman.

Chair’s Summary    

The words “housing crisis” are not what the general public (or Westminster politicians) usually associate with the beautiful county of Devon. However, as the evidence accumulated by the Devon Housing Commission shows, there is indeed a real housing crisis in this county. The problem is an acute shortage of homes affordable for the next generation.    

This is not just about homeownership being beyond the reach of first-time buyers (even of those with incomes well above the average), the problem now covers rented homes as well. It is virtually impossible for those on average incomes or less to obtain a rented home that is both available and affordable. Devon is simply running out of any housing options.

This is best illustrated by the dramatic rise in numbers of people (particularly of children) that councils have had to place in temporary accommodation, and the consequent, alarming increase in costs borne by Devon’s local authorities. This represents a real emergency.

What has caused this dire situation?

Of course, there is a nationwide problem of acute shortages of somewhere to live that is decent, secure and affordable. However, affordability is a particular problem in Devon, where house prices are higher and incomes are lower than the national averages.

First, becoming a homeowner in Devon is particularly difficult because house prices are inflated by those moving from in more expensive areas, principally from London and the South East. Middle-aged and older people are moving in while younger people are leaving. This creates difficulty recruiting to vacancies across Devon and means key workers cannot afford to live near their place of work.

Second, the availability of affordable rented housing is more constrained in Devon than most places. The amount of social housing available from councils and housing associations is proportionately half as much as for England. Historically, Devon has not built enough affordable homes and current trends show that the position is getting worse. The county is not keeping up with national levels of affordable housing delivery. The already low level of social housing has been further depleted by Right to Buy sales at substantial discounts. While governments have hoped that sales of council housing will be replaced by new social housebuilding, in reality this has not happened.

Third, in some areas, the amount of privately rented housing has declined by substantially more than elsewhere, partly because long-term lettings for locals have been switched to short-term Airbnb-style lettings for tourists.

Fourth, Devon has an older population profile and more family-size properties are occupied by one or two people: the phenomenon of under-occupation is an even bigger issue than for England as a whole.

Fifth, rurality and the physical aspects of Devon make new building problematic in many places. The geography and topography of the county restrict opportunities. Narrow country roads and steep hillsides make construction more difficult. In addition, more of Devon than of most counties is protected by designations of National Parks, National Landscapes, and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

Although new development is best suited to urban areas with brownfield sites, Devon is predominantly a rural county. This adds special obstacles to meeting housing need. Normal planning conditions present extra barriers to rural development. Moreover, existing residents often oppose any development, even where this is designed to meet local needs.

Sixth, Devon also contains many coastal towns which bring their own challenges. Properties designed for a tourist market of yesteryear can attract landlords who let sub-standard properties to those on Housing Benefit. The fashions for holiday destinations have changed, leaving a legacy that requires investment in regeneration.

Seventh, Devon is now unusual in terms of local government structures. Although our Commission’s work has not embraced the city of Plymouth, which is a unitary authority with a substantial population (265,000), the rest of Devon has eight District Councils and the Unitary Authority of Torbay, in addition to the County Council. These ten local authorities compare with the single authority for Cornwall and two, for example, for Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire.

Devon’s structures enable democratic decisions at a more local level but produce some logistical hazards. In relation to planning functions, it would be hard for every local planning authority in the County to employ a full complement of expert planning staff even if funding was sufficient (which it is not). Furthermore, many planning decisions cross adjacent local government boundaries.

How can all these issues be addressed?

This is a difficult moment to be calling for the building of more new homes to meet Devon’s acute shortages. Housebuilders are not keen to develop while market conditions are being hit by higher interest rates and increased costs; local authorities are facing severe financial constraints; housing associations are running out of capacity to expand their work. However, with an emphasis on affordable housing for rent and shared ownership (for those on average incomes and below), there are some positive steps that could make a significant difference.

At the strategic level, the Commission is recommending a Devon-wide Housing Strategy that sets out goals for the County with a roadmap to achieve them over the next decade and beyond. We recommend a successor body to the Housing Task Force comprising representatives of Devon’s local authorities to monitor progress and work with the proposed Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority (CCA). The CCA represents an important opportunity to coordinate Local Plans across the County, covering transport and infrastructure alongside housing provision. These arrangements would facilitate enhanced working relationships with central government and with its agency, Homes England.

We also recommend a county-based initiative for the recruitment, retention and career progression for planning staff across the County. This would assist the resourcing of planning departments and support cross-boundary working.

Central government could help ease the crisis in a number of ways: by allowing planning fees to fully recover costs; by taking forward measures in the previous Renters (Reform) Bill for greater security and higher standards in the private rented sector; by committing to an ongoing affordable housing programme through Homes England that prioritises social rented homes and allows flexibility between new builds and the regeneration of existing buildings; by sharing more of the cost of temporary accommodation in the short-term, by providing opportunities for councils to acquire and improve properties which will be available long-term for social rent; and by introducing the necessary measures for local authorities to limit further growth in short-term lettings.

For rural areas, greater use of Rural Exception Sites would make possible more affordable homes that revitalise local communities. Landowners may need incentives to make these sites available at minimal cost: to this end, developments (in some cases Community Land Trusts will be the solution to delivering homes), should be supported by local authorities and national government through a relaunched Community Housing Fund.

For coastal areas, refurbishment of outdated tourist accommodation can meet local needs. Proactive enforcement of standards can also drive up quality in the private rented sector.

As a major recommendation, the Commission would like to see the proposed Combined County Authority sponsoring a new Development Corporation. This would act as a Master Developer on behalf of the County, Torbay, and the District Councils. It would acquire land, capturing its value, raise private finance, and implement a Master Plan for all major, strategic developments. It would end the current reliance upon the volume housebuilders.

In conclusion, the Commission recognises the size of the task ahead. However, we believe that with the engagement of Devon’s local government and local communities (and appropriate input from central government), significant inroads could be made in easing shortages and delivering affordable homes at the scale required.

I wish all concerned every success in this endeavour and sincerely thank the Commissioners, Devon’s Housing Task Force, the County Council and our sponsor, the University of Exeter (in particular through the work of Matt Dodd and David Hancock) for making possible this worthwhile initiative.

Richard Best

Lord Best, Chair, Devon Housing Commission [Extensive careeer housing including, leading  the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust,  from 1988 to December 2006.] 

Interesting snippet on Cranbrook

Owl is still dipping into this 112 page report and has found this insight into Devon’s population and the significance of the “exception ward” of Cranbrook. Something the “Old Guard” Tories created by their “build,build, build” policy, then abandoned; but picked up by the “New Guard” (coalition).

Extract from chapter four:

Devon is also ageing at a faster rate than the rest of England. The average age in England increased by one year between the census of 2011 and the census of 2021 whilst, apart from Exeter (with no increase) only East Devon increased in line with the England average. The presence of the Cranbrook development has kept the rise in average age in East Devon in check: Cranbrook is a new town with a very low average age which impacts the overall East Devon profile. The average age in the Cranbrook ward in 2021 was twenty-nine compared to the average age of fifty in East Devon as a whole, making Cranbrook the “youngest ward” in the county. East Devon, with four of the top ten oldest wards, includes Sidmouth town which, with an average age of fifty-nine, is the oldest in Devon.

Devon’s population is older than England’s, but, crucially, it is also ageing at a faster rate. It is important to understand what is driving this before exploring the impacts on housing. During  2012 and 2020, the overall population of Devon rose at a faster rate than England and the South West, with the East Devon and Exeter populations increasing at the highest rate. This can be attributed to the growth of the university in Exeter during this period (see Chapter Three) as well as developments such as Cranbrook.

According to this report of a meeting between South West Water (SWW) and Teignbridge Council’s overview and scrutiny committee, SWW are trying to deflect the blame for the cryptosporidium outbreak.

It is being described by them as a “freak accident”, the responsibility of a “third party”.

Accounts suggest that the crypto bug got into the water through “a faulty valve in the network”.

We don’t know what sort of valve this is, but valves are mechanical devices that can fail.  So a fundamental consideration should be that they are installed in such a way, and situation, that they “fail safe”. They also need to be monitored and maintained. Surely these are SWW responsibilities?

SWW don’t look to have been any more transparent at this scrutiny meeting than with their meeting with EDDC in February.

Consumers need a much fuller explanation of what went wrong if confidence is to be restored. – Owl

Bug infection was ‘freak accident’ claims South West Water manager

Guy Henderson, local democracy reporter www.radioexe.co.uk 

Fault lays elsewhere, councillors told

An incident which led to thousands of South Devon households being told to boil their drinking water for weeks on end has been described as ‘an absolute freak accident’.

A faulty valve in the network between Brixham and Kingswear allowed cryptosporidium into the water system, exposing people to the risk of catching a bug which causes vomiting and diarrhoea.

Ian Lake, head of developer services for South West Water (SWW), told Teignbridge Council’s overview and scrutiny committee: “South West Water was not the reason for this. It was a third party.

“An investigation is being undertaken, but it was in my humble opinion an absolute freak accident that occurred.”

The alarm was raised in May, and 17,000 households across Brixham, Kingswear and parts of Paignton were advised to boil their water. SWW set up depots to distribute free bottled water to people affected by the incident, and delivered supplies to vulnerable households.

It was only a week ago – almost two months after the first reports – that the final ‘boil water’ notice was lifted for the last affected homes closest to the water works.

Mr Lake was among SWW officials attending the meeting to answer questions about water issues in Teignbridge.

Head of community engagement Alan Burrows said there had been “emotive conversations” around sewage spills and water quality, but SWW was on track to hit stringent targets to cut the number of incidents.

He pointed out that the water company was to blame for only 12 per cent of pollution spills, with the rest coming from sources including farms and factories.

His figures showed that fewer than half the storm overflows into the River Teign catchment area currently meet government standards, but millions of pounds is being invested to fix the others.

Cllr John Radford (SD Alliance, Kerswell with Coombe) said: “I don’t see any confidence going forward. A lot of promises have been made, but they have never been kept.”
 

Owl has been posting daily for four and a half years and will now pause to reflect on how East Devon Watch should respond to the new political scene.

It has been an eventful time with Owl covering key events including: 

the pandemic in all its phases; 

Ben Ingham’s “last stand” and the changing of the guard in East Devon including the eventual retirement of EDDC’s Chief Executive, Head of Paid Services, Director of Planning and Returning Officer, Mark Williams;

the “Rainbow” coalition inspired by Eileen Wragg and led by Paul Arnott;

Sasha Swire’s “Secret Diary”;

the First Million Hits; 

Alderman John Humphreys’ conviction and sentence for historic child rape, and “who knew what and when”; 

the fall from grace of “Tractor Porn” Neil Parish and the election of our first LibDem MP Richard Foord; 

the short, damaging, history of three Tory Prime Ministers and a lettuce; 

the funding crisis in local government;

Various “goings on” in other neighbouring councils;

the sewage crisis from denial to acceptance;

the 2024 election which saw Conservative reduced to the lowest number of MPs in the party’s history and the LibDems winning the most seats for 100 years.

sadly, Owl has also had to record the deaths of Val Ranger and Sandra Semple both of whom had been significant “agents for change” in East Devon.

East Devon Watch has now become a fantastic archive of more than 19,000 articles, dozens of which are read every day.

As a reader, if you have any views, email them to: eastdevon.owl@gmail.com

https://environment.data.gov.uk/bwq/profiles/

Alison Hernandez is still lagging rather than leading – how did she manage to get re-elected with such a miserable record? – Owl

Bradley Gerrard, local democracy reporter www.radioexe.co.uk 

The Devon and Cornwall Police service has been assessed as ‘inadequate’ at investigating crime in a critical report that says not enough offenders are being brought to justice.

The region’s police and crime commissioner Alison Hernandez now says she will challenge its leaders to improve the poor outcome in such a critical function.

HM Inspectorate of Constabularies and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) says the standards of the force’s investigations “have deteriorated” because of understaffed and inexperienced teams investigating serious offences, while the service “still has work to do” in leadership and force management.

In a review of 66 cases, only 47 had an investigation plan, and it found some in which had “significant failings and victims had been let down”.

Inspectors also noted “serious concerns” about how the force manages investigations, adding that it is in “regular contact” with the acting chief constable on this issue.

Ms Hernandez welcomed the inspectors reports saying the service is good at preventing crime, and noted that data since the inspection showed improved performance in other areas, including how it manages offenders.

But she said she “shares HMICFRS’s concerns relating to crime investigation standards.”

She continued: “For several months, my recently formed accountability and standards team have been examining how files are prepared for court and how data is collected and used by the force,” she said.

“Their findings chime with those of His Majesty’s Inspector.

“The public must be confident that when they report crime the evidence and information they supply is correctly recorded and used so perpetrators are brought to book and victims receive the justice they deserve.”

She added that despite record investment in policing in Devon and Cornwall, she would be “challenging the force’s leadership to improve significantly in this area”.

In the report, Andy Cooke, HM chief inspector of constabulary, said he had “concerns about the performance of Devon and Cornwall police in keeping people safe, reducing crime, and providing victims with an effective service”.

However, the force hit back at some aspects of the report “due to the inspection being based on historical data, some of which is over a year old and does not accurately reflect improvements the force has made”.

They claimed positive feedback is evident in the force’s management of offenders and registered sex offenders, although this is still rayted as “requires improvement”.

The inspector said “considerable improvement” had been made in how the service treats people who contact it.

“Since our previous inspection, the force has made significant efforts to improve in the areas we highlighted as causes of concern or areas of improvement, which is recognised,” Mr Cooke said.

“However, despite those improvements, more is required to place the force in a position where it is consistently providing a good standard of service to its local communities.”

Acting chief constable Jim Colwell said: “I am pleased that the Inspectorate has acknowledged the good work that goes on in our neighbourhood teams every day, which is a reflection on the hard work of our officers, staff and volunteers.

“We are committed to delivering community policing with competence, compassion and common sense, which is why we remain the second safest force area in the country, and this has been clearly recognised by the Inspectorate.”

Ms Hernandez echoed this, saying the force has “one of the lowest crime rate areas.. But it is extremely disappointing that the force is letting too many victims down, whether with poor response times or a delayed investigation,” she added.

However, Mr Cooke said while aspects of crime investigation oversight had improved: “the force has understaffed and inexperienced teams investigating serious offences.

“There are delays in crime allocation and supervision, with many investigations lacking a detailed investigation plan or effective supervision.

“The force needs to improve in this area to achieve better outcomes for victims of crime.”

Decon and Cornwall Police said it has made considerable progress since the last inspection, such as review creating  more resilient teams to give more support to victims and ongoing work to address a national shortage of detectives.

“I fully acknowledge that we still have work to do to ensure that our investigations are completed to the high standards that the public would expect of us – particularly when it comes to serious and complex crimes,” acting chief constable Colwell added.

“We have made progress since the last inspection, but I recognise there is still much more to do if we are to deliver a better level of service to our communities and reduce some of the pressure on our colleagues.”

HMICFRS said it had altered its inspection process, meaning that this latest report could not be compared with the previous one.

The old system used to grade nine areas of policing, rather than eight under the new system.

Of those, two were rated inadequate (investigating crime and responding to the public), two require improvement (managing offenders, and leadership and force management), three are adequate (police powers and public treatment, protecting vulnerable people, and developing a positive workforce) and ‘preventing crime is ‘good’.

Mr Cooke praised the force for supporting neighbourhood policing teams, but raised a concern that they are “frequently being diverted to manage other demands, and this is affecting the service the force provides in this important area of policing”.

The inspector added that force now has the highest number of officers for some time.

“Although some of these officers will be less experienced, this presents a good opportunity for the force to make progress,” Mr Cooke added.

Instability at the top the force may also have been a factor in the outcomes of the report, with chief constable Will Kerr remaining suspended after more than a year.

Mr Cooke noted that operating with a temporary senior leadership team “hasn’t been easy”, and that the force is “one of the largest policing regions in England and Wales.

“The infrastructure of both Devon and Cornwall presents challenges in how the force can use resources to improve services in the areas we have identified,” he said.

Water companies are set to increase their bills across England and Wales by an average of £94 in the next five years, as the under-fire firms try to improve failing infrastructure.

Adam Forrest inews.co.uk

The water giants are under huge pressure to invest money in the creaking sewage system, following public outrage over the amount of waste getting pumped into the nation’s rivers, lakes and seas.

These companies are allowed to spill untreated sewage from storm overflows during periods of intense rainfall to prevent their systems from becoming overwhelmed.

i revealed on Wednesday that the Government will force the water firms to return money that is not spent on upgrading their sewerage networks to customers.

The bill increases approved by regulator Ofwat are less than a third of what the water companies had asked for. Water bosses had been keen to impose even larger hikes on customers to help pay for upgrades.

It comes despite huge bonuses for the companies’ chief executives over the last year – with some enjoying hundreds of thousands of pounds in top-ups, which took some of their annual pay packets to more than £1m each.

Here i has set out how each water company contributed to polluting rivers last year, how much bills are set to increase – and how much they have paid out in bonuses:

United Utilities

United Utilities performed worst out of any water company last year in terms of sewage pollution, according to the Environment Agency, with 45.4 spills per storm overflow and more than 650,000 hours of monitored spill events in 2023.

Customers’ bills at United Utilities are set to increase by 21 per cent by 2030, from £442 to £536 – up by £94.

The company’s chief executive Louise Beardmore got a £420,000 annual bonus in 2023/24 – part of an overall pay packet of more than £1.4m.

It is down slightly on previous chief executive Steve Mogford’s £426,000 bonus the previous year, which was part of his £2.2m pay packet.

BILLS: Set to rise by 21 per cent

CEO BONUS: Down by 1.4 per cent

South West Water

South West Water, owned by Pennon, had 43.4 spills per overflow and 317,285 total hours of sewage spills. The company is facing a legal challenge over spills on the Devon coast.

Meanwhile, South West Water bills are set to increase by 12 per cent by 2030, from £497 to £561, up by £64.

The company’s chief executive Susan Davy was in line to receive a total pay packet of £860,000 in 2023/24 – up from £543,000 the previous year.

But she opted not to take a bonus for a second year running, amid criticism of pollution levels. The £298,000 she received under a long-term incentive plan was diverted to a company scheme for shareholders.

BILLS: Set to rise by 12 per cent

CEO BONUS: No change.

Yorkshire Water

Yorkshire Water had the third highest level of spills in England and Wales last year, with 35.9 spills per overflow and 516,386 hours in total.

Yorkshire Water’s bills are set for a 25 per cent increase by 2030, from £430 to £537 – up by £107.

Chief executive Nicola Shaw saw her basic pay increase from £515,000 to £585,000 in 2023/24. She was awarded £371,000 as part of the company’s short-term “executive incentive plan”.

She had opted to forgo her bonus the previous year, amid criticism of the company’s performance over sewage.

BILLS: Set to rise by 25 per cent

CEO INCENTIVE: £371,000.

Welsh Water

Welsh Water had 35 spills per overflow in 2023 for its operations in England, according to the Environment Agency. They accounted for 23,354 hours of spills in total.

Bills are set to increase by 29 per cent increase by 2030 from £466 to £603 – up £137.

Welsh Water’s CEO Peter Perry received a £91,000 bonus in “annual variable pay” in 2023/24, part of his £489,000 pay packet. He had refused a bonus the previous year, amid public outcry over the state of Britain’s rivers.

BILLS: Set to rise by 29 per cent

CEO BONUS: Up from zero to £91,000.

Wessex Water

Wessex Water had 32 spills per overflow in 2023, with 372,341 hours of spills, watchdog figures show.

Customers are set for a 2 per cent reduction in their bills by 2030 from £508 to £497.

The company’s chief executive Colin Skellett decided to forgo any bonus in 2023/24, amid criticism over pollution. He received a £120,000 bonus the previous year. His basic pay of £290,000 remained unchanged.

BILLS: Set to decrease by 2 per cent

CEO BONUS: Down from £120,000 to zero.

Southern Water

Southern Water saw average spills of 30.7 per overflow in 2023, spilling for 317,285 hours in total.

Customers’ bills for the company, owned by the Australian conglomerate Macquarie, are set to increase 44 per cent by 2030, from £420 to £603 – up by £183.

The company’s chief executive Lawrence Gosden received a £183,000 bonus for 2023/24, having declined a bonus the previous year. His total pay packet – including base salary, bonus and pension benefits – rose from £427,000 to £764,000.

BILLS: Set to rise by 44 per cent

CEO BONUS: Up from zero to £183,000.

Northumbrian Water

Northumbrian Water recorded 30.1 spills per overflow over the course of 2023, spilling for 280,029 hours in total.

Customers’ bills are set to increase by 11 per cent by 2030 from £415 to £460, which is up by £45.

Chief executive Heidi Mottram received a bonus of £234,000 in 2023/24 – up from £215,000 the previous year. Her overall pay packet rose from £781,000 to £842,000.

BILLS: Set to rise by 11 per cent

CEO BONUS: Up by 8.8 per cent

Thames Water

Thames Water, the embattled giant of the UK water industry, is teetering on the edge of collapse, with negotiations with Ofwat still ongoing.

It saw 27.9 spills per overflow, for a total of 196,414 hours. Thames Water bills are set to increase 23 per cent by 2030 from £436 to £535, up £99.

Chief executive Chris Weston took a £195,000 bonus 2023/24, with his total annual pay packet being £437,000.

Previous boss Sarah Bentley opted to refuse her bonus last year, as the company was heavily criticised for sewage pollution.

BILLS: Set to rise by 23 per cent

CEO BONUS: Up from zero to £195,000

Severn Trent

Severn Trent performed second best of the water companies for average spills, averaging only 24.9 spills per overflow.

Earlier this year the company was fined £2m for allowing huge amounts of raw sewage to discharge into the River Trent.

The company’s bills are set to rise by 23 per cent by 2030, from £403 to £496, up by £93.

Bills for Hafren Dyfrdwy (Severn Dee) customers, part of Severn Trent in Wales, are set to rise by 32 per cent by 2030, from £396 to £524.

Severn Trent’s chief Liv Garfield was handed a £584,000 bonus for 2023/24, up from £358,000 the previous year. Her overall pay packet rose slightly to almost £3.2m.

BILLS: Set to rise by 23 per cent

CEO BONUS: Up by 63.1 per cent

Anglian Water

Anglian Water performed best out of any water company when it comes to sewage spills, averaging 22.2 spills per overflow, spilling for 273,163 hours in total.

The company charges for customers are set to increase by 13 per cent by 2030, from £491 to £557, up by £66.

The company’s chief executive Peter Simpson took bonus and deferred bonus payments of £455,000, down from £517,000 the year before.

BILLS: Set to rise by 13 per cent

CEO BONUS: Down by 12 per cent

---

Even if plans are eventually passed, caveat emptor!

An anonymous item in The Times on 7th July states:

“My daughters recently inherited a McCarthy Stone leasehold retirement apartment in Lancashire and need to sell it to get probate and distribute the proceeds according to the late owner’s will. Some of those waiting for their share are in urgent need. 

But this may take up to three years, my daughters have been told, as the new owners must be over 70 years of age, and demand from this age group is low. Until this is done they cannot distribute the assets, all the while incurring an annual service charge of about £8,500. What can they do?”

Anonymous

There is no time for a victory lap. There is far too much to do….

Richard Foord, MP for Honiton & Sidmouth www.midweekherald.co.uk

When former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stepped out into the rain on that fateful Wednesday in May to call the General Election, I think I heard many people across East Devon breathe a sigh of relief. Finally, after a period of chaos and decline, we had a chance to pass judgement on a Conservative government that had lost its way.

Like many MPs, I went into the campaign not knowing whether I would be returned to Parliament to keep on fighting for you. No one has a divine right to be an MP – it is a role that has to be earned through hard work and public service.

Throughout the campaign, I sought to demonstrate the difference having a hard-working Liberal Democrat MP can make. I put ‘demanding better’ in relation to NHS dental services, community healthcare services and the environment at the centre of my campaign.

There is no time for a victory lap. There is far too much to do – on these and other causes that I discussed with thousands of residents on doorsteps in recent months.

We do not know what to expect from the Labour government in Westminster. The Labour Party’s manifesto did not contain many pledges, so in the weeks ahead we will see what their approach to governing will be.

My promise to you is that I will do all I can to make sure our communities get the fair hearing and the attention they deserve. I will hold Ministers to account firmly – and I will challenge them. I won’t provide opposition for its own sake; I will seek instead to advance causes that matter to you.

The first thing I did after being elected on Friday was write to Wes Streeting, the new Health Secretary, to invite him to visit Seaton Hospital and discuss how we can save the community-funded wing from being ripped away from the community that paid for it.

As your MP, I promise to work night and day to repay the trust placed in me – whether you voted for me or not. If you’d like to contact me, then you can write to me at Richard.Foord.MP@parliament.uk or through my website: http://www.RichardFoord.org.uk

My team and I will be held to the highest standards. I’ll aim always to play it straight, roll up my sleeves, and I won’t forget that I was elected to serve you.

Water companies will be forced to return money that isn’t spent on upgrading their sewerage networks to customers under new plans being unveiled by the Government, i can reveal.

Lucie Heath, Richard Vaughan inews.co.uk

In his first intervention on Britain’s sewage crisis, Environment Secretary Steve Reed said water companies will no longer be allowed to divert infrastructure funding to pay for bonuses, dividends or salary increases.

It comes ahead of a draft decision by the regulator Ofwat on Thursday over how much it will allow bills to increase to tackle to sewage crisis. Firms have proposed bill increases of up to 72.87 per cent, meaning some customers could be paying up to £726.64 on their annual water bill by 2030.

Mr Reed also revealed plans to double the compensation households receive when their water supply is disrupted and to set up new panels for customers to hold the utility firms to account.

“We will never look the other way while water companies pump sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas,” he said.

“This unacceptable destruction of our waterways should never have been allowed, but change has now begun so it can never happen again.”

Water companies are already forced to return money to customers if they fail to meet separate targets linked to environmental performance and leakages. This is done via deductions to bills in the following year, rather than cash back.

It is understood that it will be up to regulator Ofwat to decide how exactly customers will be refunded if water companies do not spend their allocated infrastructure funding. Ofwat is the sector’s independent economic regulator but takes policy direction from ministers within the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Campaigners are likely to welcome the early intervention from Labour during the party’s first week in power.

However, it remains unclear when the new Government plans to set in motion some of the other proposals in its manifesto to clean up the UK’s waterways, including prosecutions for water bosses and automatic fines for firms.

Labour is also yet to commit to all the policies outlined in i’s manifesto to Save Britain’s Rivers and waterways, including increased funding for the Environment Agency and for farmers so they can reduce agricultural pollution, plus a “green duty” on regulator Ofwat to place greater emphasis on the environment when making decisions over water companies’ business plans.

Tomorrow afternoon, Mr Reed will hold a meeting with water company chief executives to set out his plans for the sector, which has faced intense scrutiny for the dumping of sewage into Britain’s rivers.

The meeting will take place on the same day that the Ofwat, publishes its highly-anticipated decision on water companies’ business plans for the next five years.

The draft decision will set out how much water companies will be allowed to increase customer bills by to pay for the upgrades needed to reduce sewage pollution.

Firms have proposed bill hikes between 13.6 and 72.87 per cent over the five-year period, meaning households would be paying up to £726.64 per year for water by 2030.

Ofwat is expected to allow water firms to increase bills, and only by slightly less than they are demanding.

Mr Reed has outlined four policies the Government would introduce “to clean up the water industry to cut sewage pollution, protect customers and attract investment to upgrade its crumbling infrastructure”.

This includes plans to write to Ofwat to ask them to make sure funding for infrastructure investment is ring fenced and cannot be spent on bonuses, dividends or salary increases. This will include infrastructure investments to prevent sewage spills, among other things.

Any promised infrastructure funding that is not spent on upgrades should be refunded to customers, he said.

Last year, 11 of the 16 water companies in England and Wales were forced to give money back to customers. However, water bills have continued to rise despite firms being penalised, for example in the 2023/4 financial year, bills increased by an average of 7.5 per cent despite water companies being penalised for missing targets.

Water companies have been heavily criticised in the past for failing to spend money on their infrastructure, while paying large dividends to their investors.

In its most recent performance report for the sector, Ofwat found water companies had failed to spend £587m set aside for improving their assets between 2020 to 2023.

Meanwhile, water companies in England paid £2.5bn in dividends in the two financial years since 2021, analysis by the Financial Times found.

Alongside restricting infrastructure spending, the Government will consult on doubling the amount of compensation customers will receive when their basic water services are affected. Depending on the circumstances, customers are typically entitled to £20 in compensation if their water supply is disrupted for 24 hours, followed by £10 for each additional day.

Ministers will also look to expand the circumstances under which customers receive compensation to include ‘Boil Water Notices’, which are issued when there are contamination concerns over drinking water in a region.

The move is likely in response to the recent parasite outbreak in Devon that saw over 100 people reporting a diarrhoea-type illness and around 16,000 homes and businesses being ordered to boil their water, with some homes affected for almost two months. South West Water was forced to pay out around £3.5million to affected customers.

Mr Reed will also order water companies to change their governing rules to make the interests of customers and the environment a primary objective.

New customer panels will be introduced with the power to summon board members and hold water executives to account, the Secretary of State said.

However, Mr Reed stressed that change will “take time” to improve Britain’s waterways and said the Government will outline further steps over “the coming weeks and months”.

It’s currently unclear when Labour will set in motion the other policies in its manifesto, including bringing criminal charges against water executives that break the law and introducing automatic and severe fines for polluting firms.

It is possible that more detail will be provided in the King’s Speech, which is scheduled for next week.

While Labour’s proposals are likely to be welcomed by campaigners, the Government is yet to commit to some of the other changes groups have been calling for to end the sewage crisis and restore our waterways.

Does Ofwat deserve to survive? – Owl

Water bills to rise by average 21% over next five years, regulator rules

James Sillars news.sky.com

Water companies in England and Wales have been told they will not be allowed to impose the hikes to bills they have demanded, the industry regulator has said in an interim verdict on their business plans for the next five years.

Ofwat declared that it was minded to slash, by a third, the combined increases that the 16 companies had submitted.

It left the average bill, the watchdog said, set to rise by £19 a year or 21% over the period.

Ofwat chief executive David Black said: “Customers want to see radical change in the way water companies care for the environment.

“Our draft decisions on company plans approve a tripling of investment to make sustained improvement to customer service and the environment at a fair price for customers.

A final ruling will be made in December.

As Ofwat’s report suggests, their wishes – including the 42% hike demanded by crisis-hit Thames Water – are unlikely to be fully met following final consultations on the plans at a time when the industry is under such heavy fire from many sides.

It said companies’ business plans proposed increases averaging £144 over five years.

Thames Water’s proposed increase of £191 by 2030 had been reduced to £99, Ofwat said, while Severn Trent’s proposed increase of £144 had been reduced to £93.

The industry has long been accused of prioritising bonuses and shareholder dividends over investment in key infrastructure, systems that widely date back to the Victorian era.

Sky News revealed on Wednesday that the new environment secretary Steve Reed had summoned bosses for an urgent meeting, when his plans for tougher regulation will be spelled out later on Thursday.

These “initial steps” include customer panels to hold company boards to account and significantly higher financial penalties for failures.

This is what the water companies are asking for:

• Southern Water: 72.87% increase to £726.64 by 2029/30
• Wessex Water: 35.73% increase to £690 by 2029/30
• Thames Water: 43.96% increase to £627 by 2029/30
• Dŵr Cymru: 29.06% increase to £602 by 2029/30
• South West Water: 19.97% increase to £596.04 by 2029/30
• Anglian Water: 16.75% increase to £573.06 by 2029/30
• Yorkshire Water: 32.27% increase to £569.40 by 2029/30
• Hafren Dyfrdwy: 41.21% increase to £560 by 2029/30
• United Utilities: 25.21% increase to £554 by 2029/30
• Severn Trent Water: 35.70% increase to £546 by 2029/30
• Northumbrian Water: 13.60% increase to £471.47 by 2029/30

• T1: Oak – prune back secondary & sub- lateral branch growth by removing approximately 2m from branch tips to achieve a 2-3m clearance from the property. Pruning wounds will not exceed 40mm in diameter. 16 Higher Spring Gardens Ottery St Mary EX11 1HWRef. No: 24/1318/TRE | Validated: Fri 28 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• T16, Oak : Reduce lowest northern lateral branch by 2m. Land South Of Bulverton Barn Station Road SidmouthRef. No: 24/1319/TRE | Validated: Fri 28 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed south/east and south/west single storey extensions, new front porch and changes to fenestration Rydon Chase Rydon Lane Woodbury EX5 1LBRef. No: 24/1314/FUL | Validated: Fri 28 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Discharge of condition 6 for 24/0382/VAR : Condition 6 (exploratory works for ground and first floor layout) Eldin House Fairfield Road Exmouth EX8 2BLRef. No: 24/1316/DOC | Validated: Fri 28 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Discharge of Condition for 21/0936/MRES: Condition 7 (Tree Pits and Soil Volumes) Land At Old Tithebarn Lane Clyst HonitonRef. No: 24/1313/DOC | Validated: Fri 28 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Alterations to fenestration and construction of deck and stairs to provide ancillary accommodation on first floor and study/ home office on ground floor of the existing garage/study home office building Asher House Gerway Lane Ottery St Mary Devon EX11 1PWRef. No: 24/1310/FUL | Validated: Thu 27 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Erect agricultural building Bridge Meadow Whitford Road Kilmington EX13 7NSRef. No: 24/1306/FUL | Validated: Thu 27 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Discharge of conditions for 23/1355/FUL : Condition 3 (habitats licence), Condition 5 (materials and finishes) 191 Beer Road Seaton Devon EX12 2QBRef. No: 24/1303/DOC | Validated: Wed 26 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Certificate of Proposed Lawful Development for garage conversionOrchard House Talaton EX5 2RLRef. No: 24/1300/CPL | Validated: Tue 25 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Application for a Lawful Development Certificate (CLUED) for the change of use of first floor of building to single dwelling at unit 19b, Flightway Business Park, Dunkeswell, Honiton EX14 4PB Unit 19B Block 19 Flightway Dunkeswell Business Park Dunkeswell Honiton EX14 4PBRef. No: 24/1290/CPE | Validated: Mon 24 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• T1, T2 – x2 Rowan – to dismantle as close to ground level as possible. 1 Upland Chase Honiton EX14 2FTRef. No: 24/1287/TRE | Validated: Fri 28 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Provision of car park and use of existing field access to serve proposed suitable alternative natural green space (SANGS) (under separate application) Land South Of Parsons Lane RockbeareRef. No: 24/1292/FUL | Validated: Wed 26 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Yew: remove. 4 The Hills Sid Road Sidmouth Devon EX10 9AQRef. No: 24/1296/TCA | Validated: Mon 24 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Change of use of land from agricultural to suitable alternative natural green space (SANGS) Land South Of Parsons Lane RockbeareRef. No: 24/1291/COU | Validated: Wed 26 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• T1, Oak: dismantle the tree to ground level. 72 Byron Way Exmouth EX8 5SARef. No: 24/1286/TRE | Validated: Mon 24 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Discharge of Condition for 23/2376/LBC: Condition 4 (Materials) Copplestones Ridgeway Sidbury Devon EX10 0SFRef. No: 24/1281/DOC | Validated: Tue 25 Jun 2024 | Status: Unknown
• T002. Copper Beech. Crown lift for a ground clearance of 3m to enable vehicles to park in allocated bays. T003. Cherry. Fell to a 1.3m stump as tree is in decline Sidmouth Victoria Hospital Sidmouth EX10 8EWRef. No: 24/1258/TRE | Validated: Thu 27 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Change of use of existing garden annex into dwelling Richardhayes Dalwood Devon EX13 7DYRef. No: 24/1254/FUL | Validated: Fri 28 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction and operation of a micro energy storage project Land At Blackmore Road Clyst St MaryRef. No: 24/1239/FUL | Validated: Fri 28 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Oaks (T5 and T7 of 23/0006/TPO): T330 and T326 – reduce branches by 3m from nos. 6 and no. 7. 6 Oak Tree Gardens West Hill Ottery St Mary EX11 1FRRef. No: 24/1232/TRE | Validated: Tue 25 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed rear extension and new front porch 76 Foxholes Hill Exmouth EX8 2DHRef. No: 24/1226/FUL | Validated: Thu 27 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Variation of Condition Number 2 (approved plans) on planning permission 23/1310/FUL (Proposed two storey extension and relocation of garage) amendments to fenestration, cladding and render. 2 Springfields Colyford Colyton EX24 6RDRef. No: 24/1227/VAR | Validated: Fri 28 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Loft conversion including front and rear dormers. Partial conversion of garage with first floor extension. Addition of PV panels to roof. 18 Flint Field Way Tithebarn Exeter Devon EX1 3XNRef. No: 24/1216/FUL | Validated: Wed 26 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Single storey forward facing extension Glebe Cottage Higher Way Harpford Devon EX10 0NJRef. No: 24/1211/FUL | Validated: Wed 26 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Change of use from agricultural to flexible commercial use (Class B8) Vacant Chicken Shed Rosamondford Farm Perkins Village Exeter EX5 2JGRef. No: 24/1203/COU | Validated: Tue 25 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Single storey porch extension 19 Underhill Crescent Lympstone Exmouth EX8 5JFRef. No: 24/1201/FUL | Validated: Mon 24 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• First floor extension, change roofing material to slate, and addition of external cladding Barnfield Shepherds Lane Colaton Raleigh Devon EX10 0LPRef. No: 24/1206/FUL | Validated: Mon 24 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Extend the existing garage to provide additional space to park a motorhome The White House 3 Northview Road Budleigh Salterton Devon EX9 6BYRef. No: 24/1207/FUL | Validated: Wed 26 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Demolish garage and lean-to, construction of single storey extension incorporating existing outbuilding. Internal repairs including re-plastering, layout changes, removal of wall & associated works. Remove areas of external cement render and replace with lime render, selected lintels and windows to be replaced Higher Salston Lodge Ottery St Mary EX11 1RQRef. No: 24/1209/LBC | Validated: Fri 28 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed loft conversion including construction of 2no. dormers on front elevation and 5no. rooflights on rear elevation Sunbeams Rhode Lane Uplyme Devon DT7 3TXRef. No: 24/1192/FUL | Validated: Wed 26 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed single storey wooden outbuilding in garden Bramleys The Orchard Brampford Speke Exeter EX5 5HWRef. No: 24/1186/FUL | Validated: Thu 27 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed construction of an earth banked agricultural slurry store. Land Off James Lane YarcombeRef. No: 24/1185/FUL | Validated: Tue 25 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Demolition of outbuilding, construction of rear dormer window and construction of rear and side single storey extensions resubmission of 22/2709/FUL. Colestocks Farm Cottage Colestocks Payhembury EX14 3JRRef. No: 24/1161/FUL | Validated: Thu 27 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed dwelling with associated driveway and private garden Roseleigh Church Road Colaton Raleigh Devon EX10 0LHRef. No: 24/1150/FUL | Validated: Tue 25 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed new barn for storage and housing ponies, with hardstanding and extended track. Munchkins Barn Colyton Hill Colyton EX24 6HXRef. No: 24/1050/FUL | Validated: Fri 28 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Demolition of existing buildings and redevelopment of site to provide two replacement employment buildings, new accesses and associated infrastructure and landscaping South West Metal Finishing Ltd Exeter Airport Business Park Clyst Honiton Devon EX5 2ULRef. No: 24/1049/FUL | Validated: Thu 27 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposal to replace the roof covering over the main hall and Billiard room with Kingspan KS1000RW 100mm thick insulated composite panels in Goosewing grey Whimple Victory Hall School Hill Whimple Devon EX5 2TSRef. No: 24/1040/FUL | Validated: Mon 24 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of new dwelling. Bowling Green Plymtree Devon EX15 2LFRef. No: 24/0985/FUL | Validated: Mon 24 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of two storey rear extension and rear dormers. 10 Oak Tree Close Upottery EX14 9QGRef. No: 24/0966/FUL | Validated: Tue 25 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed construction of open fronted and steel framed agricultural barn Frontfish Uk Ltd Colyton Devon EX24 6SPRef. No: 24/0951/AGR | Validated: Thu 27 Jun 2024 | Status: Allowed
• Demolition of conservatory and erection of rear single storey extension with raised patio area. 2 Littlefields Seaton EX12 2BZRef. No: 24/0944/FUL | Validated: Fri 28 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of new detached dwelling and detached garage. Appletreewick Muttersmoor Road Sidmouth EX10 8RHRef. No: 24/0929/FUL | Validated: Mon 24 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed first floor side extension 17 Meadow Road Budleigh Salterton EX9 6JLRef. No: 24/0776/FUL | Validated: Wed 26 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Ground Floor extension on North and West elevations including extension to garage and first floor extension on South West corner. Hayne Lodge Plymtree Devon EX15 2LDRef. No: 24/0743/FUL | Validated: Tue 25 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Erect two detached bungalow dwellings, provision of parking and vehicular crossovers, and all associated works. Land At Anson Road ExmouthRef. No: 24/0729/FUL | Validated: Mon 24 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Replacement of the Main Building roof and rainwater goods, replacement of the switch room building roof and rainwater goods, installation of external metal staircase to allow maintenance access into the roof void and installation of bird wires Honiton Hospital Marlpits Lane Honiton EX14 2DERef. No: 24/0580/FUL | Validated: Thu 27 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Demolition of existing agricultural buildings. Proposed housing scheme for 6no. CLT owned affordable homes for rent, and 3no. Estate owned open market houses Land Adjacent To Town House Gittisham EX13 8AJRef. No: 24/0514/FUL | Validated: Mon 24 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision

Now the mist has cleared, a correspondent sends Owl dramatic pictures.

According to DevonLive, the landslide came as large swathes of Devon were battered by heavy rainfall overnight and into this morning [yesterday]. One such affected area was Budleigh Salterton, between Exmouth and Sidmouth, where the cliff collapsed. The collapse will cut off parts of the beach to the west at high water, according to an eyewitness.

The coastal town was under a blanket of rain for most of Tuesday morning, up until around lunchtime and it seems it was too much for its striking red sandstone cliffs, which tower above the 2.5-mile stretch of pebble beach.

The cliff collapse took place at 11.40am, leaving behind a huge mound of sandstone with dust swirling through the dark skies and over the choppy waves crashing against the shore.

Thankfully, the beach was deserted at the time due to the adverse weather, save for one passer-by who snapped the photographs after the event. He said that the cliff collapse attracted a lot of attention after it had happened, with a number of people venturing close to the site to check out the rock fall.

Labour has appointed one of the country’s foremost climate experts to lead a “mission control centre” on clean energy.

Eleni Courea www.theguardian.com

Chris Stark, the former head of the UK’s climate watchdog, will head a Covid vaccine-style taskforce aimed at delivering clean and cheaper power by 2030.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said the centre would work with energy companies and regulators and would be the first of its kind in Whitehall, following Keir Starmer’s plan for mission-driven government.

According to this model, ministers will focus on tackling five of the biggest challenges facing the country, one of which is clean energy.

Stark said: “Tackling the climate crisis and accelerating the transition to clean power is the country’s biggest challenge, and its greatest opportunity. By taking action now, we can put the UK at the forefront of the global race to net zero.”

Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, said: “Years of underinvestment has left our country suffering energy insecurity, with working people paying the price through their energy bills and a cost-of-living crisis. That cannot happen again.

“This new mission control centre, benefiting from the expertise and experience of Chris Stark’s leadership and bringing together the brightest and best in the national interest, will have a laser-like focus on delivering our mission of clean power by 2030.”

Stark was head of the UK’s Climate Change Committee (CCC) for six years until January. He was director of energy and climate change in the Scottish government between 2016 and 2018.

During his tenure the CCC recommended a UK net zero target for greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, which is now in law.

Stark won praise for his management of the CCC at a difficult point, when the government was briefing against many of the statutory watchdogs. Some on the right of the Conservative party would have liked to dismantle the 2008 Climate Change Act, under which the committee was set up with the mandate to advise on meeting the five-yearly carbon budgets.

Throughout his six years as chief, he maintained his steady insistence on telling the government truths it did not want to hear – on how far off-track the UK was straying from its climate goals, and how much more it would cost to delay action than to take it now.

Stark clashed with Conservative ministers at the time of his departure from the CCC earlier this year. He warned that the concept of “net zero” had turned into a political slogan used to start a “dangerous” culture war over the climate.

He said sensible improvements to the economy and people’s lives were being blocked as a result and that he would be “intensely relaxed” about losing the term.

Shaun Spiers, executive director of the Green Alliance thinktank, said the appointment would help Labour attract much-needed international investment for its plans. “This shows the government is ambitious and serious about delivering on its clean energy promises, and is really reassuring,” he said. “It’s been a very good few days [since the election] in action from Labour showing they want to get things done quickly.”

Reforms to the UK’s planning system have been a focus so far, including the lifting of an effective ban on onshore wind turbines in England, but Spiers said the government would have to look across a much wider range of issues to be successful in decarbonising electricity by 2030. “Planning is important, but it’s not the whole problem – grid connectivity is key, and there’s a need to build supply chains [for green equipment], building up skills, looking at the cost of borrowing, and attracting international investment. The appointment of Chris Stark will help with all of that.”

A marathon debate to thrash out altered plans to build a major Sidmouth retirement development on the former site of the district council offices has ended in rejection.

Local Democracy Reporter eastdevonnews.co.uk

Revised plans for a major retirement living scheme have been rejected by East Devon planners after a lengthy debate which united residents and Councillors united in opposition, writes local democracy reporter Bradley Gerrard.

McCarthy & Stone recently put a tweaked version of its scheme in front of the district council’s planning committee, but objectors bemoaned the small number of changes made.

The size, scale and number of properties remained the same, residents claimed, and while some balconies had been removed from one side of the building in an effort to reduce fears of overlooking, a large number were still included.

The applicant’s first planning application for the former council headquarters which suffered a fire in March last year, was refused in February, and it has lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate.

In assessing the revised application, residents reiterated concerns including about overlooking into nearby Knowle Gardens and Knowle Park, questioned the need for more retirement accommodation in the town, and raised fears about whether the sewage system could cope with the extra demand.

Kelvin Dent, a resident and member of Friends of the Knowle, which helps look after the area’s gardens and park, said the scale, mass and design of the scheme had “not materially changed”.

“The only change is the removal of some balconies on the west elevation and inclusion of more on the south,” he said.

“Those have made things worse, and if the committee wishes to be consistent, then I suggest the present application should be refused.”

The planning committee turned down the scheme previously because it “failed to reflect the local distinctiveness and is not compatible with the character of the site… and so will adversely affect the townscape and local landscape of Sidmouth”.

It also said the large windows and balconies on one block would “result in an unacceptable level of overlooking and overbearing impact on neighbouring properties”.

Resident Barry Kerwin felt the proposal to use a mainly surface water drainage scheme would create a “serious risk of flooding”, especially during heavy rain when local sewers were struggling to cope.

“The sewer has been cleaned and surveyed but the overflow still occurs, and if this is added, flooding is likely,” he said.

Michael Temple felt the increase in balconies on the south side of one of the buildings, the 60 windows and a central viewing platform on top of the four apartments included in the scheme, would “all look down on our secluded public gardens”.

He added it was “out of character with the gardens, the conservation area and the neighbourhood”, while fellow resident Stephen Jones bemoaned the “poor design”.

“It will not enhance the entrance to Sidmouth,” Mr Jones said.

“Stow-on-the-Wold had a great McCarthy and Stone development, although Exmouth’s is not a good example,” he noted.

“This seems to be a situation where it is an off-the-peg design, but this site must be one of the most beautiful, and any architect worth their salt would be excited by the challenge to create something for it.”

The agent, David Williams, defended the scheme, saying that for a second time, officers were recommending approval.

“This is an allocated brownfield site within the settlement boundary and the principle of substantial older person accommodation is established with a previous appeal decision,” he said.

“During the pre-application and application process, we have had detailed discussions with the council, local residents and stakeholders for nearly three years, and accordingly this scheme has evolved and been fine-tuned to provide the optimum and sustainable level of development.

He claimed the inclusion of extra care elements helped Sidmouth meet its need for housing and job creation, and that the care provision for over-sixties and over-seventies would bring “social and economic benefits via a reduction in demand on the public sector and health care services”.

McCarthy & Stone’s scheme includes 33 retirement apartments for the over-sixties and 53 extra care/assisted living homes for the over-seventies.

Also included is a care home building with staff and resident facilities and two pairs of semi-detached properties and three townhouses.

This is lower than the 113-apartment assisted living community previously planned by PegasusLife, which secured permission for its scheme after appealing East Devon’s refusal, but then never went ahead.

But Councillors firmly opposed the latest scheme, using the same reasons for refusing it as earlier in the year.

Councillors raised further concerns, including that the scheme “significantly increases the average density of residential development in an existing urban area”, meaning it would contravene part of the National Planning Policy Framework, or NPPF.

“And the NPPF says that if a scheme is not well designed it should be refused where it neglects to reflect the local design policies and government guidance on design,” Cllr Colin Brown (Conservative, Dunkeswell and Otterhead) said.

Cllr Ian Barlow (Independent, Sidmouth Town) was concerned that local NHS services couldn’t cope with a large addition of homes for elderly people, and questioned whether the town should be trying to encourage new developments for younger residents as Sidmouth’s elderly population grew.

Cllr Matt Hall (Liberal Democrat, Exmouth Withycombe Raleigh) said while the principle of development on the site was accepted, it was now about finding the “right development”.

He continued: “I think the original design and layout was far better, and I think it had far less things to be critical of.

“But I think this is overdevelopment of the site and is not in keeping with the existing urban grain, and no offence to the architect, but this is an off-the-peg design, and I don’t think it fits in or acknowledges the local character or creates something distinctive.”

Cllr Barlow proposed the motion to reject the scheme, with a debated ensuing to agree the right wording, content and reasoning.

Eventually, the Councillors agreed to reject the scheme, with one abstention from planning committee chair Olly Davey.

South West Water says its “especially sorry”.

Two months after a parasitic outbreak in the water supply in Brixham, the final properties under a boil water notice have been told they can finally drink from their taps again.

Radio Exe News www.radioexe.co.uk

Cryptosporidium, which causes vomiting and diarrhoea was discovered in the supply in May. To start with, South West Water denied it had anything to do with the water network and said tap water was safe to drink. The company later U-turned on that statement.

At one stage, 16,000 properties were affected, but the notice for the final 674 in Higher Brixham, Southdown, Upton Manor and St Mary’s has now been lifted.

Bottled water stations were setup in response to the incident, but these will now close. Water deliveries will also stop.

In a statement, chief customer officer Laura Flowerdew said: “A triple layer of protection is now in place including microfilters and UV at our tank and in-line microfiltration in your supply zone providing additional barriers. So you can be confident that the water is safe to drink.

“We want to let you know that now you can use your water as normal, we will be closing the bottled water stations from 9pm this evening (Monday 8 July).

“Water deliveries will also stop in the final area to be lifted from the Boil Water Notice today, we will though continue to deliver water to customers on our Priority Services Register today and tomorrow.

“We are sorry for the disruption the Boil Water Notice has brought. We are especially sorry for the distress caused to those who fell ill because of cryptosporidium and to the ones who had to care for them.”

Paul Arnott

It is hard to believe it’s only fifty days or so since Mr Sunak called a general election. Six weeks of fevered debate ensued.

In a later article I will visit the role of the polling and tactical voting companies and the distorting effect their unregulated work had on the election in which I was a candidate for Exmouth and Exeter East (EEE). For now, I will just say that a ludicrous initial prediction by the Financial Times that the LibDems would only win 3% of the vote in EEE appeared on thousands of Labour leaflets pushed through doors, even when Labour knew full well that the FT had realised their error and had revised this up to have the LibDems as possible winners! (The initial FT mistake was based on the tiny LibDem vote in 2019 when most LibDems lent their vote to Inde Claire Wright.)

In a new constituency where the question on most doorsteps was “how should I vote tactically to ensure a non-Conservative win?” this single item of outdated disinformation, promoted lavishly online too by Labour, did for the LibDems and led directly to the public quite understandably unsure who to vote for. The non-Conservative vote was then split between Labour and the LibDems and the result was a win for David Reed for the Conservatives.

David won fair and square and as Leader of East Devon District Council I have already invited him to meet our senior management to build a collaborative relationship. It is essential that the LibDem winner in Honiton, Richard Foord, now works with David on behalf of the 140,000 people who live in the district. That collaborative style is what my leadership has always been about. Despite some student politics in one part of the Labour EEE campaign, my excellent working relationship with the Labour leader of Exeter City Council remains important too.

Now, what will a Labour government mean locally? The party made the following promises in its manifesto:

· Multi-year finance settlements for local councils, and an overhaul of the business rates, with changes to the audit system

· Deeper devolution by combined authorities, with a review of governance and flexibility for those with good financial management

· A National Care Service , focusing on “home first” care

· Partnership working over hospital discharge and neighbourhood health centres

· A fair pay agreement and the professionalisation of adult social care

· An update of the National Planning Policy Framework, and an increased number of planners

· A raft of new towns, with the biggest increase in housebuilding in a generation and new planning powers for combined authorities

Readers can see that these pledges, if met, could have many implications for East Devon, from the conditions around our own adult social care challenges to, with “neighbourhood health centres”, offering a potentially brighter outlook for Seaton Hospital, whose future I helped to secure at East Devon Council by registering it as an “asset of community value”, securing the position for local providers who may with to take it on if the NHS Trust in the region ever tries to sell it.

Here in East Devon, we need to repair our social housing stock neglected by the Conservatives and build more. Will the new government understand that and, more importantly, will it work across the country collaboratively to achieve it? We shall see.

Tonight there is a yellow rain warning – but we’re not starting from a good place

SWW WaterFit Live

[A little bit of catching up to do]

• T7, Birch : Prune two branches so that they are no longer contacting the neighbour’s (Cox’s Cottage) phone line on the southern side of the tree. Maximum diameter of cuts to be 75mm, max. branch length to be 3m. The minimum amount possible will be removed to acheive a clearance of at least 20cm. Bramley Corner Russet Mews Talaton Road Whimple Exeter EX5 2QQRef. No: 24/1280/TCA | Validated: Fri 21 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Discharge of conditions for 21/2317/VAR : Condition 3 (trees), Condition 4 (floor levels), Condition 5 (earthworks) Land Adjacent To 21 Strawberry Hill LympstoneRef. No: 24/1277/DOC | Validated: Fri 21 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• T1, Fir : Remove approximately 4 number of low branches growing to south (above no.6), as indicated in image 621BEEFIR1; reduce overall crown dimensions of tree by approximately 1.5-2m as indicated in image 621BEEFIR2. 8 Ottery Street Otterton Devon EX9 7HWRef. No: 24/1282/TCA | Validated: Fri 21 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Discharge of Condition for 22/2556/FUL: Condition 4 (Written Scheme of Investigation) Northams Farm Yarcombe Devon EX14 9LZRef. No: 24/1270/DOC | Validated: Fri 21 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Prior approval application for the formation of private ways, on land used for, and necessary for the purposes of afforestation and (thereafter) forestry, under Schedule 2, Part 6, Class E of the General Permitted Development Order 2015 Elbury Farm Broadclyst Exeter EX5 3BHRef. No: 24/1261/AGR | Validated: Thu 20 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Single storey rear and side extension with first floor side extension. 7 Park Way Exmouth EX8 3QGRef. No: 24/1266/FUL | Validated: Thu 20 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed removal of external ducting and TV antenna, replacement of external timber fire stairs with metal stairs, repair of flat roofs, replacement of 2 no. timber windows, installation of 20 solar panels, removal of stud partition walls, removal of modern ceiling and associated internal works. 115 High Street Honiton EX14 1LSRef. No: 24/1252/LBC | Validated: Wed 19 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Oak – crown reduction from building by 2.0 – 2.5m. Ottery St Mary Primary School Longdogs Lane Ottery St Mary Devon EX11 1HYRef. No: 24/1257/TRE | Validated: Wed 19 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed change of use of front section of property at first floor level from serviced (B1a) office space to extend the sales area of the auctioneers, proposed change of use of rear section of property at first-floor level from associated office/storage areas (sui generis) and self-contained residential flat (C3) to extend auctioneers sales area with a mixed-use sales room and/or serviced office area, replacement of external timber fire stairs with metal stairs and installation of 20 solar panels on flat roofed rear extension. 115 High Street Honiton EX14 1LSRef. No: 24/1251/FUL | Validated: Wed 19 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Discharge of condition for 23/2562/MFUL: Condition 4 (Surface Water Management), Condition 5 (Landscaping) Hogsbrook Farm Woodbury Salterton Devon EX5 1PYRef. No: 24/1241/DOC | Validated: Wed 19 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision

• Demolition of existing garage, proposed 2 storey extension on north/west elevation and changes to external materials De Winton Station Road Colyton EX24 6EYRef. No: 24/1245/FUL | Validated: Tue 18 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed demolition of existing glazed entrance lobby, construction of single storey front and rear extensions (revised front extension, roof canopy added from previously approved ref. 21/2724/FUL) Sandon Middletown Lane East Budleigh Devon EX9 7EQRef. No: 24/1243/FUL | Validated: Tue 18 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Discharge of condition for 24/0597/FUL: Condition 5 (materials), Condition 6 (Specification details of greenhouse) The Forge Shute Axminster EX13 7PURef. No: 24/1244/DOC | Validated: Thu 20 Jun 2024 | Status: Unknown
• Discharge of condition for 23/2719/LBC : Condition 5 (roofing materials, windows, doors, external vents, flues and meter boxes including lighting, and brick sample) Westhay Farm Hawkchurch Axminster EX13 5XHRef. No: 24/1240/DOC | Validated: Mon 17 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Discharge of condition for 24/0229/FUL: Condition 3 (Landscaping) 27 Haydons Park Honiton Devon EX14 2TARef. No: 24/1234/DOC | Validated: Mon 17 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Discharge of condition for 24/0188/FUL; Condition 3 (Landscaping) Lower Lodge Offwell Devon EX14 9SARef. No: 24/1237/DOC | Validated: Tue 18 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed garage conversion and a forward- facing infill extension to the front elevation. 14 High Bank West Hill Devon EX11 1XXRef. No: 24/1236/FUL | Validated: Mon 17 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• T1 to T24: Yews- reduce height of all trees by circa 1m to ensure they are all inline. Chanters House The College Ottery St Mary Devon EX11 1DQRef. No: 24/1229/TCA | Validated: Mon 17 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Discharge of condition for 23/0340/FUL: Condition 5 (materials), Condition 6 (landscaping) Marsh Farm Kilmington Axminster EX13 7DRRef. No: 24/1224/DOC | Validated: Mon 17 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Discharge of condition for 23/0341/FUL: Condition 5 (Materials) & 6 (Landscaping) Marsh Farm Kilmington Axminster EX13 7DRRef. No: 24/1223/DOC | Validated: Mon 17 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Discharge of condition for 23/0342/FUL: Condition 5 (Materials), Condition 6() Marsh Farm Kilmington Axminster EX13 7DRRef. No: 24/1225/DOC | Validated: Mon 17 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Discharge of condition for 23/0339/FUL: Condition 5 (materials), Condition 6 (landscaping) Marsh Farm Kilmington Axminster EX13 7DRRef. No: 24/1222/DOC | Validated: Mon 17 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Flat roof extension to the rear of the property to replace the existing extension which would extend beyond the rear wall of the original house by 7.8m, for which the maximum height would be 3.1m and for which the height of the eaves would be 3m Hannaford Withen Lane Aylesbeare Devon EX5 2JQRef. No: 24/1196/GPD | Validated: Fri 21 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Variation for condition number 2 (approved plans) for planning permission 22/1914/FUL (Two storey side extension) Proposed increase in extension and fenestration amendments. 12 Clyst Valley Road Clyst St Mary Devon EX5 1DDRef. No: 24/1183/VAR | Validated: Wed 19 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Demolition of single storey ground floor areas, proposed two storey extension on north and west elevation. 12 Bridge Road Budleigh Salterton EX9 6EARef. No: 24/1172/FUL | Validated: Wed 19 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Prior approval for the erection of an agricultural building (horticulture) to be used for growing mushrooms and general storage associated with the horticultural enterpriseChineway Farm Putts Corner Sidbury Devon EX10 0QQRef. No: 24/1182/AGR | Validated: Wed 19 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Replace single-storey front extension with glass canopy. Two-storey side extension. Removal of single-storey side extension to extend terrace. Addition of free-standing solar panels to south west of dwelling, alongside other alterations. Holnest Farm Farway EX24 6DHRef. No: 24/1164/FUL | Validated: Thu 20 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Replace existing porch with porch/orangery on rear south west elevation Battleford Hall All Saints EX13 7LXRef. No: 24/1160/LBC | Validated: Wed 19 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed use of land for the stationing of 2 shepherd huts for holiday letting Hitts Farm Whimple Exeter EX5 2NYRef. No: 24/1157/FUL | Validated: Thu 20 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Lawful Development Certificate for internal alterations to convert garage to utility room and store.13 Sidlands Sidmouth EX10 8UERef. No: 24/1146/CPL | Validated: Mon 17 Jun 2024 | Status: Approved
• Proposed replacement window at first floor rear elevation 1 Rose Cottages Mirey Lane Woodbury EX5 1DXRef. No: 24/1126/LBC | Validated: Fri 21 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Erection of two sub-stations. Exeter Logistics Park Werstan Road Clyst Honiton Devon EX5 2GBRef. No: 24/1114/FUL | Validated: Tue 18 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Removal of conservatory to be replaced by rear single storey extension and two storey side extension on East elevation 15 Clyst Valley Road Clyst St Mary Devon EX5 1DDRef. No: 24/1101/FUL | Validated: Fri 21 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Certificate of proposal lawfulness for the conversion of two cottages to one dwelling1 Lower Church Street (Arran Cottage) 2 Lower Church Street (Florence Cottage) Colyton EX24 6NDRef. No: 24/1097/CPL | Validated: Thu 20 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Approval of reserved matters (appearance, layout, access, scale and landscaping), pursuant to outline planning permission 23/1731/OUT, for the construction of permanent 2 bedroom agricultural workers dwelling and conversion of mobile home to associated garage Upton Pyne Equestrian Centre Seychelles Farm Upton Pyne Exeter EX5 5HYRef. No: 24/1070/FUL | Validated: Thu 20 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Siting of timber static unit as annexe for use by commercial business visitors to Courtneys of Whimple only Oak Lodge Whimple EX5 2PDRef. No: 24/1052/FUL | Validated: Mon 17 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed extension to the front porch and demolition of existing rear store. 2 Midway Terrace Clyst Honiton Devon EX5 2NERef. No: 24/1041/FUL | Validated: Wed 19 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Discharge of conditions for 23/2196/FUL: Condition 3 (materials) and Condition 5 (landscaping scheme). Woodhayne Farm Bishopswood Chard TA20 3SBRef. No: 24/1000/DOC | Validated: Mon 17 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• General purpose agricultural building Land At Mill Rise LuppittRef. No: 24/0857/FUL | Validated: Fri 21 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Single Storey Extension accommodating 12 additional nursery places. Little Ones Nursery St Pauls Road Honiton Devon EX14 1BRRef. No: 24/0852/FUL | Validated: Mon 17 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Retrospective application for extended hardstanding, stationing of 4no storage containers, polytunnel and change of use of building from horse, fodder and equipment storage to vehicle parking, domestic storage and home-grown food production and provision of 3no fruit cages Land At Weston Lane Awliscombe Honiton EX14 3PHRef. No: 24/0845/FUL | Validated: Wed 19 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed loft conversion with dormer window on North elevation Flat B 58 East Budleigh Road Budleigh Salterton EX9 6EJRef. No: 24/0812/FUL | Validated: Fri 21 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Demolition of existing outbuildings, and construction of a new Clubhouse and Scout Hut to Woodbury FC 1st Woodbury Scout And Guide H Q Woodbury Recreation Ground Town Lane WoodburyRef. No: 24/0101/FUL | Validated: Tue 18 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision