There are fears of a huge Covid spike in Torquay as teenagers returning home from Newquay’s Boardmasters festival at the weekend report that “everyone is testing positive”.

It seemed to Owl that the Boardmasters festival was always going to be a super spreading event waiting to happen. We wait to see just how big a spike it generates and whether it can be contained.

Stay safe!

Colleen Smith www.devonlive.com

The 16 and 17 year olds also reported that people who suspected they had Covid while at the festival were skipping tests on Friday organised to detect people carrying the virus in the 50,000 strong crowds.

Health officials say that data is being monitored from the Festival that finished last Sunday and results should be available later this week.

One Torquay grandmother said: “I want to warn everybody to be careful in Torbay because we are about to get a huge Covid spike.

“The young people are all coming back from Boardmasters festival and testing positive with Covid. My grandaughter is at Torquay Girls Grammar School and lots and lots of her friends are all testing positive.”

A 17-year-old Torquay Boys’ Grammar School pupil from Newton Abbot said everybody in his group of 10 who hadn’t been vaccinated came back with Covid – plus one person who had been vaccinated. He said that out of 30 who went – at least 15 to 20 have since tested positive.

The grandmother, who didn’t want to be named, said: “They have all been to Boardmasters and on Tuesday every one of them who went has tested positive. I was horrified when my grandaughter told me.

“These are mainly 16 to 17 year olds and they were all celebrating after getting their GCSE results.

“What I want to warn people about is that the numbers in Torbay are going to go very high and I want everyone to be aware.”

A 17-year old from Newton Abbot who attends Torquay Boys’ Grammar School said: “All the people in my group who hadn’t been vaccinated came back with it.

“Even one who had been vaccinated had a positive PCR – it spread through pretty much everyone.

“In my group there were 10 of us and I know about 30 who went and I would say at least 15 to 20 have since tested positive.

“I started to have a sore throat before I left, obviously it was hard to know at the time whether you have caught Covid or not but 100 per cent Monday I was feeling under the weather.

“Everyone realised they had it after they got back. They had a thing on Friday (the third day) when everyone was retested and I heard it showed about 1,000 came forward as positive.

“But there were loads who had it but didn’t come forward because they wanted to stay until the end of the festival. Everyone was quite aware about it and it and the tests coming back positive.”

Andrew Topham, CEO of Vision Nine – the company behind Boardmasters – said before the event organisers had put everything in place to minimise the risk.

Mr Topham said organisers went “above and beyond what was asked of us” by implementing its own Covid-19 policy.

Staycationers are thought to be a key reason for the general rise as Brits head to UK beaches rather than contend with the hassle of travelling abroad.

Newquay, where the festival took place, had 182 new positive tests between August 5 and 11.

In the seven days up to August 13 Newquay East’s infection rate rose to 1,123.8 per 100,000 which is higher that cities like London and Manchester.

A former mayor of Exmouth is facing years in jail after being found guilty of the historic sexual abuse of two schoolboys.

Ted Davenport www.devonlive.com

John Humphreys raped one of the boys after taking him into an abandoned military blockhouse on Woodbury Common 30 years ago and went on to abuse the other a decade later.

He is not only a former Mayor and long-serving Conservative councillor but also served as governor of a primary school for many years.

He is openly gay and became one of the first people in Britain to take part in a same sex wedding when he married his partner in April 2014 on the first day the new law came into effect.

He denied having any sexual contact with either boy but was found guilty of all charges by majority verdicts at the end of an eight day trial at Exeter Crown Court.

He said he was shocked and flabbergasted at the allegations and accused his first victim of being ‘wicked and vindictive’ and making up his allegations so he could claim compensation.

Humphreys ran his own gardening business in Exmouth and was considered to be a pillar of the community until the first allegations came to light in 2015.

Former Exmouth mayor John Humphreys who is accused of sexually abusing to boys in the 1990s and 2000s (Image: MARTIN WHITHAM)

He was prosecuted after police unearthed records of a previous complaint from the second victim, which was not pursued when it was first made in the 2000s.

Humphreys, aged 59, of Hartley Road, Exmouth, denied but was found guilty of three counts of a serious sexual assault (buggery) and two of indecent assault on the younger boy and five counts of indecent assault against older one.

The jury were out for more than eight hours before they delivered their majority verdicts.

Judge Timothy Rose adjourned sentence to Friday to allow the victims time to update impact statements.

Miss Fiona Elder, defending, said Humphreys knows he will receive a long jail sentence.

(Image: DevonLive)

Mr Piers Norsworthy, prosecuting, said he would submit a schedule setting out the sentencing guidelines for modern offences which are the equivalent to those he was convicted of.

The first victim was aged about 13 when he was picked up by Humphreys in public toilets in Manor Gardens in Exmouth, which was a well-known gay meeting spot or cottage at the time in 1990 or 1991.

He took the boy to a friend’s flat and had sex with him before dropping him off. They met again in the same way twice and on the first occasion he took him back to his former home in Salterton Road where they had sex again.

The victim said he was taken to Woodbury Common on the third meeting where he was subjected to a brutal sexual assault he described as rape.

When police asked him why he had decided to make a complaint, he replied ‘because I’ve had 25 years of sleepless nights’.

The second victim met Humphreys when he was aged 14 or 15 in 2001 and off school.

He said he was assaulted for the first time after being taken back to his home during a lunch break and was so confused that he froze.

Humphreys later offered him holiday jobs and went on to abuse him on other occasions, telling him ‘this doesn’t mean you are gay’.

Even the Telegraph has criticised Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab as “missing in action”.  

Marina Hyde’s satirical comment in the Guardian is headed: “Can someone fill in Dominic Raab about the news? He only watches it on catchup.“ She also writes: “News that Dominic Raab was spotted lounging on a beach in Crete on the day Kabul fell certainly sends a message.”

But we shouldn’t forget that one of his recent special advisors (SPADS) was none other than our own Simon Jupp. Simon was appointed a SPAD to the then “First Secretary of State” in 2019, before running for parliament. 

SPADS have also come in for much criticism (see the recent New Statesman debate). The essence of this is that they usually possess a surfeit of ambition coupled with little experience.  Many SPADS see their appointment as a stepping stone to preferment to a “safe seat”.

In the case of Simon, one has to ask what foreign policy expertise could he “bring to the table”, or was appointed because of his political “nous”? Doesn’t look as if much his wisdom rubbed off.

In turn, we might ask what did he learn at the feet of his master? – Owl 

[In 1982 Peter Carrington resigned as Secretary of State, taking full responsibility for the complacency of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in its failure to foresee the invasion of the Falkland Islands and for the misleading signals sent by the Foreign Office on British intentions for retaining control over the Falklands.]

NHS England hospitals have sounded the alarm over materials used in roofs that reached the end of their lifespan more than a decade ago, with one hospital forced to restrict the use of some operating theatres to patients under 120kg (19st).

Rachel Hall www.theguardian.com 

Several hospitals are warning of the potential for roof collapses due to structural weaknesses in the reinforced concrete planks used in their construction between the 1960s and 1980s, which have a 30-year lifespan.

North West Anglia NHS foundation trust wrote in its annual plan that the poor condition of the main theatres in Hinchingbrooke hospital in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, posed a significant risk to elective care.

The plan, published in June, stated: “There are a number of building-related issues, the most significant being the RAAC [reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete] panelling, which affects the loadbearing of the floor, restricting the use of some theatres to patients under 120kg.”

Since the report, more structural surveys have been undertaken and the hospital is able to use just one of its seven operating theatres for patients weighing more than 120kg. The hospital said it had received £13m this year to cover the costs of surveys and repairs.

Reports leaked by a whistleblower to the BBC showed that West Suffolk hospital, which has a similar design to Hinchingbrooke, had hired a law firm to investigate the potential for corporate manslaughter charges in the event of a fatal roof collapse, while hospital trusts in eastern England had produced an emergency plan outlining what would happen in the event of “significant hospital structural failure”.

The documents seen by the BBC included an initial risk assessment that warned of an “almost certain” plank collapse, which would have “catastrophic” consequences.

The risk level has since been downgraded to “likely” in response to West Suffolk launching a multimillion-pound safety works programme, though it is understood this will not be completed until spring 2023.

NHS England said the affected trusts were maintaining safe services and were regularly required to manage complex estates repairs, including roofing work. It added that training exercises were regularly conducted in the interests of safety and preparedness.

The problems relate to RAAC planks that were commonly used in the roofs, floors and walls of NHS buildings and schools between 1960 and 1980, that have since deteriorated or have structural weaknesses.

The BBC reported that West Suffolk hospital, in Bury St Edmunds, had 27 metal supports under the planks, while the Queen Elizabeth hospital in King’s Lynn in Norfolk had more than 200.

A spokesperson for NHS England and NHS Improvement East of England said: “Trusts in the east of England work in line with specialist industry advice and have been given more than £67m to help them manage their estates programme.

“Trusts have maintained safe services for patients, who should access hospital care as they normally would, and also introduced a number of measures including improved surveillance and use of specialist equipment to help identify and fix any issues immediately.”

Caroline Walker, the chief executive of the North West Anglia NHS trust, said: “Operations continue to take place for all our patients, and we are following expert advice to manage our estate, checking and surveying our buildings regularly and completing any maintenance as it’s needed.”

The jury have retired to consider their verdicts in the case of a former Mayor of Exmouth who is accused of the historic abuse of two schoolboys.

Ted Davenport http://www.devonlive.com 

John Humphreys is facing a total of 10 charges at Exeter Crown Court where he has denied any sexual contact with the two complainants.

The boys say he abused them when they were aged around 13 and 15 in 1990 and 2001 respectively.

Judge Timothy Rose sent the jury out in mid-morning and told them that they would have as much time as they needed to reach their verdicts.

Humphreys, aged 59, of Hartley Road, Exmouth, denies three counts of a serious sexual assault and two of indecent assault on the younger boy and five counts of indecent assault against the older one.

Humphreys is an alderman who was Mayor of Exmouth from 2010 to 2012 and a councillor for 12 years.

He told the jury last week that he had no sexual interest in boys and had never had any sort of sexual contact with either complainant.

Hundreds of people have signed a petition calling on Devon County Council not to sell-off farmland near Exeter for housing.

Paul Greaves www.devonlive.com

Markhams Farm, which lies between Ide and Alphington, has been earmarked in the Teignbridge Draft Local Plan as a huge housing plot where a total of 727 houses could be built.

The site is currently a working farm and part of the county council’s tenant farm estate.

A petition – organised by district ward councillor Alison Foden – to ‘Save Markhams Farm from being sold off and keep farming local’ has so far attracted 523 signatures.

The petition states: “At this time of emergency, we call on Devon County Council to drop the planned sell-off of our local farms for housing development, and to continue to support local farming and sustainable agriculture.

“We call on Devon County Council to keep Markhams Farm and to drop their proposed sell-off for housing development as mentioned in Teignbridge District Council’s Local Plan Review 2020 – 2040.

“We say Keep Devon County’s Farms Farming.”

Markhams Farm Exeter (Image: Teignbridge District Council)

Markhams Farm is one of more than 100 sites across Teignbridge identified as places where future housing could be provided.

A public consultation run by the district council has already ended.

The petitioners hope that by putting pressure on the county council the land will be withdrawn as a potential location for housing.

The site falls within the parish of Ide. Neighbouring Shillingford St George Parish Council says it is in ‘total opposition’ to the proposal.

The minutes from its most recent meeting state: “The site is totally rural in character and consists of high quality agricultural land which is being actively farmed.

“The proposed site being set on a hillside would be highly visible from large parts of Exeter and would further erode the unique rural setting of the city.

“The proposed site is currently high quality productive agricultural land which would be destroyed if it was to be developed for housing.

Markhams Farm overlooking Exeter

“A large part of the site is occupied by a County Farm, owned by Devon County Council and leased to a tenant farm holder.”

The parish council says the working farm is a success and building would destroy it ‘at a time when agriculture nationally and locally needs to be supported and encouraged’.

The Draft Local Plan (Part 2) sets out options for where different types of development might be located over a 20-year period.

It includes a number of controversial ‘Edge of Exeter’ proposals, including 933 houses on a large swathe of land at nearby Peamore and between 200-250 at Atwell Farm in Whitestone.

As part of the process, landowners submit their land as potential building sites. Markhams Farm has been submitted by the county council’s agents.

The 80-acre plot sits beside a traditional country lane linking Alphington and Ide and is currently little used by vehicles. It is bordered on three sides by fields and also by the A30.

In the Local Plan, Teignbridge District Council says: “The site is large enough to provide local public open spaces to support wildlife and provide landscaping, tree planting and on-site play areas.

“The site is more than 800m from an area of major open space, but is close to public footpaths and cycle paths that connect to this and other areas of local public open space.”

It acknowledges a number of ‘sensitivities’ should the proposals succeed.

“The landscape contains known archaeological sites – prehistoric or Roman settlements,” the plan says.

“Therefore a comprehensive programme of archaeological work should be undertaken to enable the significance of the heritage assets to be understood as well as the impact of any development upon any such assets.”

It also says roads and footpaths would have to be improved and a new primary school built.

The district council says about the Local Plan: “It is important to note that no decisions have been taken at this stage as to where development might take place.”

The petition will be emailed to Cllr John Hart, the Leader of Devon County Council, and a formal in-person presentation at County Hall.

A copy will also be emailed to the Planning Department at Teignbridge District Council.

DevonLive has contacted Devon County Council for comment.

(Building the Burrington way! – Owl)

From a correspondent:

The above Winslade Manor in Clyst St Mary is a substantial mansion that has recently been very sensitively re-developed by Burrington Estates to now include Winslade Manor Restaurant and Bar, Number 6 personal training and wellness studio and office accommodation.

The architecture of this building with its architraves, pediments, balustrades, quoins, sash windows, porticos and Doric columns under a slate hipped roof continues to evoke an admiration and appreciation today in 2021, even after so many centuries have elapsed. Burrington Estates have successfully returned this Grade II* Listed Georgian Manor to its former glory, when it was built by Edward Cotsford, the High Sheriff of Devon around 1800 and this renovation deserves accolades and commendation.

210110 Presentation 08 Near neighbour presentation.pdf – OneDrive (live.com)

The above link shows Burringtons design proposals for their two new housing areas in Zone A and Zone D at Winslade Park, Clyst St Mary, which are soon to be submitted to East Devon District Council for a decision. Again the plans submitted for the Zone A housing on green fields at the entrance to Winslade Park show creative, low-density, high-quality innovative designs that many will find attractive and appealing.

However, displayed on the very final two pages of this housing design presentation link on Pages 71 and 72 (which appears as a hurriedly-prepared afterthought to achieve high-density volume home-building in a restricted brownfield car park area) are 40 four-storey apartments!

Many would consider such high-density towering structures in a rural, historic village, overlooking existing homes and sited in close proximity directly opposite the valued majestic northern façade of the historic Winslade Manor, to be completely inappropriate.

Tall four-storey block structures are more usual in urban areas (like Exeter City) to provide significant numbers of homes in a metropolis but not in a rural community that has no local housing need.

The three four-storey brick-blocked structures totalling 40 apartments are considered by many to be totally incongruous in this setting and fail to reflect distinguished, prestigious standards in architecture in the immediate setting of a valued, historic asset and they conflict with recommendations by Government to enhance our communities.

Many believe that homebuilders in the 2020s should show an ethical responsibility to improve areas and not return to the low-cost brick three-five storied apartment building styles which were developed in the Soviet Union during the 1960s and have thankfully mostly been demolished and replaced.

This is an opportunity for the creation of a truly outstanding build back better brownfield design standard that could be revered as an esteemed design guide for future admiration that will stand the test of time – but these design proposals for Zone D fail to reach that objective.

Architectural designs are creative and are, therefore, vulnerable to personal, differing opinions but surely  this historic site requires imaginative high-quality style and a venerable discernment to compliment the Georgian Manor? Many find these current Zone D proposals an overdevelopment in this rural village with the designs being too utilitarian and failing to achieve aesthetic, quality, harmonious standards. Designs must not overpower, clash and be incompatible with the historic Manor and its surroundings.

The Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission advised the Government to promote and increase the use of high-quality styles and designs for new build homes and neighbourhoods to reflect what communities want by  building on the knowledge and tradition of what works for their area – but do 40 four-storey blocks of apartments opposite an historic Manor House in a rural community reach those aspirations?

In the past the advice would have been to ‘return to the drawing-board’ but in this age of digital technology, it would not seem too onerous to search for a more sympathetic computer-generated design for this valued location which surely deserves so much better?

Another crisis unfolds as the PM goes AWOL, remember how many Cobra meetings he skipped last year whilst the pandemic gained momentum? – Owl

Jessica Elgot www.theguardian.com 

Boris Johnson’s departure on holiday on Saturday, despite public warnings the Taliban would be in Kabul within hours, has been criticised as a “dereliction of duty” by former senior military and security figures.

It emerged on Monday that the prime minister and the foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, took their summer holidays at the same time before both taking the decision to return.

Johnson had gone to Somerset, and Raab was in Cyprus until Sunday, hours before the fall of Kabul, after being absent from public debate for more than a week.

Major Gen Charlie Herbert, who undertook three tours of duty in Afghanistan between 2007-18, said: “It is almost impossible to believe that the prime minister departed on holiday on Saturday; he should hang his head in shame. It is dereliction of duty on an extraordinary scale.

“He is overseeing one of the greatest military humiliations in the recent history of this country. Three weeks ago Gen Lord Dannatt and 44 other senior retired military officers wrote openly to the government to express their grave concern about the handling of the interpreter issue and urged the government to accelerate the relocations.

“That they failed to heed the warning is symptomatic of the disastrous complacency that has led to this national humiliation. Interpreters will die as a result of their apathy.”

Lord Ricketts, the former chair of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC), told the Guardian that Johnson’s holiday decision was “one more piece of evidence that Whitehall as a whole failed to anticipate either the scale or the speed of the collapse of the Afghan regime and the implications for British interest”.

Adm Lord West, the former first sea lord and chief of the naval staff, said: “I would be extremely surprised and indeed appalled if the JIC and assessments staffs were not predicting a very rapid collapse of the Afghan regime in the face of Taliban pressure by Saturday.

“In view of that I find the prime minister’s decision to go on holiday surprising. I also find the foreign secretary’s absence baffling. Holidays are important but not crucial. World events have a remarkable habit of happening in August and the government needs to be capable of responding quickly.”

Johnson returned from Somerset and chaired his second Cobra meeting on Afghanistan in three days on Sunday afternoon, as well as speaking to Nato’s secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, and the UN secretary general, António Guterres, about the Taliban takeover.

No 10 said he would remain working in Downing Street until at least Wednesday, when parliament will be recalled.

“The prime minister has returned to Downing Street today,” his spokesperson said. “He has been monitoring the situation in Afghanistan throughout.” No 10 also said Raab had attended meetings while away and spoken to ambassadors and senior staff.

Johnson’s spokesperson said the Taliban “have moved swiftly across the country, but we’ve monitored the situation throughout and have been focused on getting out those Afghan nationals who’ve been working with the British and obviously the British nationals themselves”.

The Labour leader, Keir Starmer, said there had been a “catastrophic miscalculation” over the strength of the Taliban and the resilience of Afghan forces. Starmer said Raab should have returned sooner from his holiday, and described the speed of the government’s response to the situation in Afghanistan as slow.

Asked whether he should have returned from holiday sooner to deal with the crisis, Raab said: “As we’ve just described, everyone was caught by surprise by the pace and the scale of the Taliban takeover.

“I think the important thing to understand is right the way through last week … I’ve been directly in touch with my team, directing them, which has paid the dividends. You can see what we’ve delivered with 150 British nationals who are going to be arriving back in the UK tomorrow [Tuesday] morning.”

Staff shortages to blame

East Devon District Council has apologised to residents for the continuing disruption to its waste and recycling services. 

Joe Ives, local democracy reporter www.radioexe.co.uk

Slow: recycling not quite in progress (courtesy: East Devon District Council)

Staff shortages at Suez, a private company which runs East Devon’s waste service, mean that bulky waste collection is suspended and some residents may have collections on a different day than usual.

The council says the staff shortage is being caused by a “perfect storm” of covid, a national shortage of skilled workers and a number of people being on holiday. They say the challenges may continue “for the foreseeable future.” 

Suez is currently trying to recruit for five positions it has vacant in its East Devon staff.

Councillor Geoff Jung, (Democratic Alliance Group, Woodbury and Lympstone) portfolio holder for coast, country and environment said: “Just as we thought we were returning to more normal times, we are experiencing tremendous pressure because of short term staff shortages like every other service provider in the country.

“On behalf of East Devon District Council, I would like to thank all our residents for their understanding, whilst we continue to provide a recycling and waste collection service during these very challenging times. 

“Please, please continue to recycle and please help our team sort and load by organising the recycling items within the containers” 

Councillor Tom Wright (Conservative, Budleigh and Raleigh), who oversaw the appointment of Suez when the Conservatives were in charge, echoed this message: “We’re doing all we can. All I can say is sorry to the residents who are inconvenienced, but I’m sure this is a short term situation and when things get back to normal I’m sure Suez will be able to give the first-rate service they did when I was a portfolio holder [for coast, country and environment].”

Staff shortage are affecting councils up and down the country as well as across Devon.  Earlier this month Exeter City Council suspended its garden waste collection for eight days because of a lack of HGV drivers. At the height of the crisis, the council resorted to enlisting some office staff to help with collections.

Former Exmouth mayor John Humphreys has told a jury he was ‘shocked and flabbergasted’ two males he had shown kindness to had accused him of sexually abusing them as boys.

About Author Becca Gliddon eastdevonnews.co.uk 

Humphreys, aged 59, of Hartley Road, Exmouth, on trial at Exeter Crown Court accused of historic sex offences against two underage boys, denies ten charges against him, alleged to have taken place between 1990 and 2002.

Humphreys, who came out as gay aged 21, denied ever having any sexual activity with either of the boys, telling the court he only liked men his own age or older.

He told the court the allegations made by the males – now adults – were ‘vindictive and wicked’.

Humphreys said: “To have to force someone to do something they don’t want to do – where is the joy in that?”

He added: “I did not do it, and will not.”

Humphreys said he had never touched the first complainant, or had sex with him.

He said he first saw the male outside public toilets in St Andrews Road, Exmouth, where they said ‘hello’.

Humphreys said in the past he had met men in public toilets in Exmouth, but not on that occasion.

He told the jury he saw the male again outside the toilets in St Andrews Road on a sperate occasion, was not attracted to him, and gave him a lift home because he seemed ‘stressed’.

Humphreys told the court: “He was talking about the men in the toilet and how awful it was.

“He was distressed and I offered him a lift to drive him home. He said he was 18 years old and we talked about the gay scene.”

Humphreys told the court he pointed out his Salterton Road home to the male as they drove past the flat in the defendant’s work van.

On another occasion, Humphreys found the male hanging around outside his flat in a ‘distressed’ state.

Humphreys said: “He was all of a dither. He just wasn’t right. I could see something wasn’t right. I invited him in for a cup of tea.

“I think he was coming to terms with his sexuality. I suggested he talk to someone; there are places in Exeter. He calmed down and then he left.

“I felt sorry for the man but I didn’t want to get too involved.”

Humphreys told the court he had ‘never’ had sexual contact with a second male who accused him of sexual touching while he was a teenager on school work experience with the defendant’s gardening firm.

He told the jury he was ‘shocked and flabbergasted’ by the ‘evil, wicked lies’, saying the allegations were ‘vindictive’.

Humphreys told the court he had only ever encouraged the second male to forge a successful career through offering him employment – once paying £100 for him to enroll in a horticulture course at college.

“That was to give encouragement and a good start in life,” he told the jury.

“People have always been kind to me and I would always try and do the same throughout my life. Kindness breeds kindness.”

Humphreys has denied two charges of indecent assault and three counts of a sex assault on a boy aged 12 to 13 between 1990 and 1991.

He has also pleaded not guilty to five further counts of indecent assault of a second boy aged 14 to 15 between 1999 and 2002.

The trial continues.

No he’s not called Simon or Neil – Owl

Anthony Mangnall, MP for Totnes and Brixham, today’s Western Morning News:

South Devon is home to some of the most extraordinary views, landscapes and coastlines. 

As a representative of the area, I am only too aware of the privilege I have in speaking up for such a unique part of the country: yet, like the rest of the nation, our businesses, tourism and hospitality industries were put on hold through the onslaught of the pandemic. 

Now, with the vaccine surging through the nation’s veins, we are seeing our economy spring back to life. The previously deserted beaches are packed, while our high streets bustle with resident and tourist alike. Our pubs, bars and restaurants all throng with the clitter-clatter of happy customers who have rightly chosen South Devon as their destination of choice for this year’s holiday.

As a result, our local economy is booming. Visitors are helping it to bounce back at rapid speed. All of this is welcome, but it is important to understand that it comes at a cost.

Such are the demands from the visitor economy that thousands of homes are being moved from long-term rentals to Airbnb lets. Many who live and work in the area are being issued with eviction notices so landlords can capitalise on the boom in holiday rentals. At the time of writing, only 16 properties are available for long-term rent across the district council area of the South Hams, and Torbay tells a similar story.

For years there has been a fine balance between holiday rentals and primary residences. That balance saw schools, hospitals and lifeboat stations (to name a few) catered for by residents who lived locally. It is readily apparent this is often no longer the case, as these and many other local organisations, and businesses, struggle to find the staff they need to operate. Some of our towns and villages, thronged in the summer, are ghostly quiet in the winter.

At both a local and national level, more needs to be done to regain that balance between holiday homes and primary residences. So what can be done?

First, we must introduce the necessary legislation to close the loophole that allows second homes to advertise as holiday rentals, avoid council tax by registering for business rates and subsequently be entitled to small business rate relief. Every holiday home puts pressure on local services and they must pay their share. I have campaigned vociferously for this change in the law, and welcome the Chancellor’s announcement earlier this year that the loophole will be closed, but it cannot come soon enough.

Second, a nationwide survey should be conducted to evaluate the impact of Airbnb-type rentals on local communities. This could include lost tax receipts and the impact on long-term rental markets in both rural and urban communities (this affects London too).

Third, new builds must be built with local affordability targets in mind. This should include Section 106 legal agreements which can be registered against the property title to ensure they are primary residences in perpetuity. This is already under way in Salcombe and looks set to happen elsewhere in the region.

The visitor economy is hugely important to South Devon. I welcome it, but Devon and the South West must have functioning communities that offer more than just a seasonal visitor economy. I am working to find that balance.

Around 800,000 homes have been built to lower emissions standards or without carbon offsets because the government scrapped tough environmental rules six years ago, it can be revealed.

www.independent.co.uk 

Ministers were accused of wasting “years of vital progress” in the fight against the climate emergency, baking in high-carbon housing stock for decades, and driving up energy bills for families.

The last Labour government introduced a legal requirement for new homes to be made net zero carbon by 2016, but in 2015 the Conservative government scrapped the plan at the last minute.

796,710 new dwellings have been built since then, according to official figures – practically none of them net zero and all expected to last well beyond when the whole economy must hit net zero.

It comes amid concern about the influence of property developers on the Conservative party, with the party having taken £891,000 in donations from the sector in the first quarter of 2021 alone.

Companies linked to property developers have donated over £10 million to the governing party since the start of 2019 and Labour says Tories have consistently put the interests of donors ahead of the public.

Approached about the policy change, the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government said the net zero requirement’s inclusion of “carbon offsetting” as a possible way for homes to hit net zero justified ending the requirement altogether.

However, the government could have changed the rules of the schemes to simply not allow carbon offsetting.

Offsetting, which involves strategies like planting trees to reduce the net emissions of a project, is also used in other areas of government policy, including as part of the government’s own national net zero emissions target.

Labour’s shadow business secretary Ed Miliband said: “The Government’s dither and delay means we’ve lost six years of vital progress in reducing emissions and lowering energy bills.

“Sadly this mistake isn’t just a one-off but part of a damaging pattern. Just this year, the Government axed the Green Homes Grant scheme which could have helped households insulate their homes, reduce their emissions, and save money on bills.

“800,000 households could have had lower energy bills and zero carbon homes by now if the zero carbon hones standard had not been abolished. Hundreds of thousands more homes will also be built before this standard comes in.

“The Conservatives cannot be trusted to deliver, whether it’s on reducing emissions or protecting family finances.”

The government has now said it will require homes to be made net zero by 2025, with higher emissions standards phased in. Offsets will also be used as part of the government’s plan to eventually make homes net zero.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government said: “The Zero Carbon Homes policy involved carbon offsetting, rather than making homes zero carbon, and would have would have provided limited benefits to consumers as it wouldn’t necessarily have increased the efficiency of their homes.

“By delivering carbon reductions through the fabric and building services in a home, rather than relying on wider carbon offsetting, the Future Homes Standard ensures new homes will have a smaller carbon footprint than any previous government policy.”

• Erection of a stable block and change of use from agricultural to equestrian use Springdale Combe Raleigh Honiton EX14 4TNRef. No: 21/2127/FUL | Validated: Fri 06 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Extension and conversion of garage, including minor alterations to exterior 1 Eveleigh Close Exeter Devon EX1 3GXRef. No: 21/2124/FUL | Validated: Fri 06 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Standardise the ongoing use of the Covid-19 vaccination centre (Class E) NHS Vaccination Centre Greendale Business Park Woodbury Salterton EX5 1EWRef. No: 21/2123/FUL | Validated: Fri 06 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Installation of decking to rear garden (retrospective) 14 Woodville Road Exmouth EX8 1SERef. No: 21/2121/FUL | Validated: Fri 06 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Change of use from office space to one residential dwelling 1 The Old Coal Yard Back Lane Newton Poppleford Sidmouth EX10 0EYRef. No: 21/2113/FUL | Validated: Wed 04 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construct building for holiday accommodation Valley Farm Rocombe Lyme Regis DT7 3RRRef. No: 21/2099/FUL | Validated: Tue 03 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed first floor extension Wisteria Cottage Alston Axminster EX13 7LGRef. No: 21/2106/FUL | Validated: Thu 05 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of rear/side in fill extension.46 Raleigh Road Ottery St Mary EX11 1TGRef. No: 21/2109/CPL | Validated: Thu 05 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Demolition of existing side extension and erection of new side extension, alteration to fenestration, and installation of solar panels and new bathroom. Ridge Cottage Stockland Honiton EX14 9ENRef. No: 21/2108/LBC | Validated: Thu 05 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Demolition of existing side extension and erection of new side extension, alteration to fenestration, and installation of solar panels and new bathroom. Ridge Cottage Stockland Honiton EX14 9ENRef. No: 21/2107/FUL | Validated: Thu 05 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision

• Conversion and redevelopment of existing dilapidated golf course workshops to provide food and beverage sales and associated facilities (use class E(B)) and associated works Higher Haven Barn At Axe Cliff Golf Club Squires Lane AxmouthRef. No: 21/2105/FUL | Validated: Tue 03 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Removal of timber pergola and replacement with garden office. Sid House Sid Road Sidmouth EX10 9AHRef. No: 21/2104/FUL | Validated: Tue 03 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Cordyline on south west corner of property. Fell due to proximity to the house 24 Chapel Street Budleigh Salterton EX9 6LXRef. No: 21/2102/TCA | Validated: Tue 03 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of single storey rear sunroom and shower room extension. 4.00m beyond rear wall, 3.50m maximum height extension, 2.70m height of eaves. 4 Joslin Road Honiton EX14 1RHRef. No: 21/2086/GPD | Validated: Tue 03 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed single storey rear extension. The Foxes Lyme Road Axminster EX13 5BQRef. No: 21/2089/FUL | Validated: Mon 02 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Change of use of agricultural land to form part of existing wildlife park Summerleaze Farm Gammons Hill Kilmington Axminster EX13 7RARef. No: 21/2090/FUL | Validated: Mon 02 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• New front porch, rear extension and conversion of roof space to habitable use to include three front dormers and two rear dormers Roof conversion with front and rear dormers and juliette balcony Pine Acre Old Chard Road Monkton Honiton Devon EX14 9NNRef. No: 21/2095/FUL | Validated: Mon 02 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Energy improvement works comprising the installation of an external wall insulation system, the installation of air source heat pumps to existing boiler room and the installation of photovoltaic panels to the existing flat roofs.St Michaels Orchard Way Honiton EX14 1HURef. No: 21/2097/CM | Validated: Mon 02 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Change of use from a general agricultural storage building to livestock housing. Park Farm Membury Axminster EX13 7TBRef. No: 21/2079/FUL | Validated: Thu 05 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Change of use from general agricultural storage to to agricultural livestock housing (Retrospective) Park Farm Membury Axminster EX13 7TBRef. No: 21/2078/FUL | Validated: Thu 05 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision

• Formation of covered veranda at front of house and extension to single garage 3 Gate Close Hawkchurch Axminster EX13 5TYRef. No: 21/2088/FUL | Validated: Fri 06 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Refurbishment and alterations to listed building consisting of 2no ground floor shops with two storey dwelling over, plus some minor external alterations including installation of rear wood burner flue, extractor fan vent, 2 x rear roof lights, side fire wall across roof void, and replacement of front window vent with glass. 49 High Street Honiton EX14 1PWRef. No: 21/2081/LBC | Validated: Tue 03 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Refurbishment and alterations to listed building consisting of 2no ground floor shops with two storey dwelling over, plus some minor external alterations including installation of rear wood burner flue, extractor fan vent, 2 x rear roof lights, side fire wall across roof void, and replacement of front window vent with glass. 49 High Street Honiton EX14 1PWRef. No: 21/2080/FUL | Validated: Tue 03 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Single storey rear extension and conversion of garage to a habitable use.7 Whitethorn Close Honiton EX14 2XXRef. No: 21/2073/CPL | Validated: Tue 03 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed 2no. new industrial units for E(c)(iii), B2 and B8 use Liverton Business Park ExmouthRef. No: 21/2071/FUL | Validated: Tue 03 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Application for Certificate of Lawfulness for an existing use or development, from business workshop/storage to private (non business) ancillary/storage use (Sui Generis) Pegasus House King Street HonitonRef. No: 21/2058/CPE | Validated: Fri 06 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• T1, Lime : Reduce to approximately 25 feet high i.e. a foot above main forking (refer to photo attached). Diameter cuts will be restricted to 12 inches. Lateral branches will be shorted back by up to 50% of branch length, performing natural target pruning. Reasons : Lime trees are commonly affected by Honey dew, which is the case with this Lime tree. – The tree has been regularly reduced to higher points every five years or so. Re-growth is so rapid it is reasonable to reduce this tree further. This will give the client a few more years before the honeydew becomes an issue again. It will also increase light conditions. – Utility Line also being affected, and in a relatively short period of time since the last prune. Flat 51 Kings Gardens Kerslakes Court Honiton EX14 1FLRef. No: 21/2056/TRE | Validated: Mon 02 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Replace 5no. windows and 1no. door on front elevation; replace 4no. windows and 1no. door on rear elevation; replace canopy over door on rear elevation; reslate single storey roof and replace rainwater goods on rear single storey store Geleen King Street Colyton EX24 6LFRef. No: 21/2057/LBC | Validated: Mon 02 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed new open fronted hay barn Oakleigh Farringdon Exeter EX5 2HZRef. No: 21/2055/FUL | Validated: Tue 03 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• T1, Oak : reduce two lower branches by 5 metres. Maximum pruning cuts no more than 30 mm. T2, Oak : reduce crown by no more than 4 metres and remove epicormic growth on lower trunk up to a height of 6 metres. Reason: To avoid damage to property Tor View Rockbeare Hill Rockbeare Exeter EX5 2EZRef. No: 21/2061/TRE | Validated: Thu 05 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision

• Conversion of rear conservatory to habitable use and alterations to fenestration on east and south elevations 11 Brownlands Close Sidmouth EX10 9ASRef. No: 21/2062/FUL | Validated: Wed 04 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Change of use of land from agricultural use to garden space and erection of a single storey rear extension from approved plans for dwelling converted under Class Q Crockernhayes Barn Whimple Exeter EX5 2PZRef. No: 21/2063/FUL | Validated: Wed 04 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Demolition of existing summerhouse and construction of new summerhouse on alternative site (retrospective) The Pickerings Lower Church Street Colyton EX24 6NDRef. No: 21/2048/FUL | Validated: Thu 05 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Replace 1no. window on rear elevation 5A Fortfield Terrace Sidmouth EX10 8NTRef. No: 21/2024/LBC | Validated: Mon 02 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Application for approval of access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale for the access road to parcel TC4 of Cranbrook town centre (development of Cranbrook new town ref. 03/P1900). Discharge of conditions 6 and 14 of planning permission 03/P1900. Parcel TC4A Land South Of Tillhouse Road Cranbrook Town Centre CranbrookRef. No: 21/2031/RES | Validated: Mon 02 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Roofing over the cattle feeding areas Hethenhill Farm Clyst Hydon Cullompton EX15 2NFRef. No: 21/2014/FUL | Validated: Mon 02 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Installation of air source heat pump at rear of chapel St Antonys Chapel Cowley Exeter EX5 5ENRef. No: 21/2009/LBC | Validated: Thu 05 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Installation of air source heat pump at rear of chapel St Antonys Chapel Cowley Exeter EX5 5ENRef. No: 21/2008/FUL | Validated: Thu 05 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Roof over an existing silage clamp. (HethenHill 1 and Hethenhill 2) Hethenhill Farm Clyst Hydon Cullompton EX15 2NFRef. No: 21/1999/FUL | Validated: Mon 02 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Retention of 1-bed temporary mobile home dwelling for farm worker (retrospective) Higher Hawkerland Farm Sidmouth Road Aylesbeare Exeter EX5 2JWRef. No: 21/1990/FUL | Validated: Tue 03 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision

• Demolish existing dwelling and erection of new dwelling Upalong Elm Way Sidford Sidmouth EX10 9SYRef. No: 21/1966/FUL | Validated: Mon 02 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Erection of an agricultural storage building Straitgate Farm Exeter Road Ottery St Mary EX11 1LGRef. No: 21/1955/FUL | Validated: Wed 04 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Erection of livestock housing Straitgate Farm Exeter Road Ottery St Mary EX11 1LGRef. No: 21/1954/FUL | Validated: Wed 04 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Erection of livestock building Straitgate Farm Exeter Road Ottery St Mary EX11 1LGRef. No: 21/1950/FUL | Validated: Wed 04 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Certificate of Lawful Development for a proposed change of use from dwellinghouse (C3) to house in multiple occupation (C4)6 St Andrews Road Exmouth EX8 1APRef. No: 21/1949/CPL | Validated: Fri 06 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Decoration of the exterior and replacement signage & lighting Anchor Inn Old Fore Street Sidmouth EX10 8LPRef. No: 21/1897/LBC | Validated: Mon 02 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Permanent agricultural workers dwelling New Park Farm Awliscombe Honiton EX14 3QARef. No: 21/1892/FUL | Validated: Thu 05 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Demolish existing conservatory and construct a single storey flat roofed family room 11 Regents Gate Exmouth EX8 1TRRef. No: 21/1744/FUL | Validated: Tue 03 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of an open sided, free-standing, wooden double carport over existing parking spaces. Flat 1 Norton Garth Court Station Road Sidmouth EX10 8NYRef. No: 21/1722/FUL | Validated: Thu 05 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Install through floor lift, installed between ground floor study and first floor store/cupboard and the removal of existing stairlift (Resubmission of 19/1011/LBC). The Old Vicarage Woodbury Salterton Exeter EX5 1PGRef. No: 21/1078/LBC | Validated: Mon 02 Aug 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision

A Tory donor and his son are facing questions about two private companies they run offering Covid-19 PCR tests for travellers, amid complaints about poor service.

Rob Davies www.theguardian.com 

Dr Ashraf Chohan, founder and chair of Conservative Friends of the NHS, which aims to forge ties between politicians and healthcare workers in the private and public sectors, is the sole director of 1Rapid Clinics, a government-approved Covid-19 testing company that some customers have claimed sent results back late, lost samples and refused refunds.

Chohan’s testing company is just one of a number of private firms with links to the Conservatives. Details of his involvement have emerged amid concern that the for-profit Covid testing regime put in place by the government is on the brink of collapse.

The industry has left a trail of unhappy holidaymakers complaining that the testing kits, or the results from those kits, often failed to arrive as promised, ultimately placing an extra burden on the NHS, which is supplying free tests for those let down by private providers.

The firms typically charge £80-£200 for pre-bought PCR tests that are mandatory for people arriving in the UK, almost twice the price that passengers pay in Europe. It is thought travellers to the UK have spent at least £500m on PCR tests from private companies since mid-May.

According to Companies House, Chohan’s 1Rapid Clinics was set up in December 2020 to offer traveller-testing including PCR tests for £70. The company received a string of negative ratings on the customer review website Trustpilot in May, the month that international leisure travel became legal again. At some point, the company’s name on Trustpilot was changed to 92 Workbooks. More than half of the ratings are marked “bad”, a worse performance than other testing companies’ Trustpilot ratings reviewed by the Observer. More recent reviews, which appear on Google against the 1Rapid Clinics name, are much more positive.

The doctor-turned-businessman, who owns a care home company, was previously a significant Labour donor but began giving money to the Conservative party in 2019 and has since given £20,000, as well as sending a £750 hamper to Boris Johnson.

The tweet, since deleted, of Dr Ashfraf Chohan meeting the foreign secretary, Dominic Raab. Photograph: @DrAshrafChohn Twitter account

At the start of August, Chohan posted a picture of himself on Twitter – deleted last week after the Observer contacted him – with the foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, saying he had discussed “red lists”. This is thought to be a reference to coronavirus travel restrictions. Raab’s office did not return a request for comment.

Jo Maugham, director of the Good Law Project, which has launched legal action against the government over its handling of contracts with private companies, raised concerns about the testing provided by private firms.

“When things (inevitably) go wrong, it’s the NHS and the public paying the price. Has this government learned nothing 18 months on?”

1Rapid told the Observer it had only been added to the list of approved Covid testing companies after “following the defined normal standard process”. It said complaints were dealt with through normal procedures, and suggested the conversation between the businessman and Raab concerned a “visit to Pakistan for a bereavement”. Chohan has not responded personally to requests for comment.

Chohan is not the only family member with an approved Covid testing company. In April, his son Jamal Chohan set up Quick Clinics to offer tests to returning holidaymakers. His company, previously called Quick Translate, used to offer translation services to people making personal injury claims. Reviewers of Quick Clinics on Trustpilot have complained that test results from the company were delayed or lost, while test kits were missing swabs, with 67% of reviews deemed “bad”.

The company also received positive reviews but some appear to have been added by people connected to it. One positive review was posted on 30 July by a user who shares a name with a person whose LinkedIn profile states that they are an intern at Quick Reporting, also controlled by Jamal Chohan.

Jamal Chohan did not respond to a request for comment.

Negative headlines about the testing system reached fever pitch last week when photos surfaced online showing drop-off boxes run by Randox, the UK’s largest PCR testing provider, overflowing with unprocessed swabs. The Conservative MP Owen Paterson is a £100,000 a year consultant to Randox.

The Department of Health was approached for comment.

All we are likely to get is more “magic sauce” warm words. – Owl

Josh Halliday www.theguardian.com 

Boris Johnson’s plan to “level up” the UK will require a similar scale of funding to the near-£2tn reunification of Germany after the fall of the Berlin Wall, a leading thinktank has said.

Centre for Cities said the schemes outlined so far by the government were a “drop in the ocean” and that closing the north-south divide would cost hundreds of billions of pounds over decades if done properly.

In a stark analysis shared with the Guardian, the non-partisan research group said England’s biggest cities, including Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, have the lowest productivity and life expectancy in western Europe.

In Madrid, the average person can expect to live nearly a decade longer than someone in Glasgow or Liverpool, where life expectancy is four years below the European average. People in Manchester, Newcastle and Birmingham live on average two years less than those on the continent, the figures show.

Paul Swinney, the policy director of Centre for Cities, said: “We’ve had this north-south divide for at least 85 years now. It’s a huge challenge [to address].”

Levelling up has been a keystone of Johnson’s domestic policy since his election in 2019 but there has been scant new policy to match the rhetoric. The government is expected to offer more policies in a white paper in autumn but experts have been underwhelmed by what they describe as a lack of coherence, urgency or ambition in the prime minister’s announcements so far.

Swinney said the scale of funding needed to be similar to that spent by the German government on the rehabilitation of East Germany following the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989. That cost is estimated to have reached €2tn (£1.7tn), met partly by a solidarity surcharge (Solidaritätszuschlag) tax on all German adults.

“At the moment we’re in the rounds of a couple of small pots of funding and some nice warm words about some places and free ports,” he said.

“The East German example gives you a peg to [assess] how far we are away from that. If we’re absolutely miles away, which we are currently, that feels uncomfortable. But if there’s something more comprehensive that gets you closer to that, then that’s pretty close to where you need to be.”

A government spokeswoman said it was investing billions of pounds to regenerate parts of Britain, including the £4.8bn levelling up fund and £2.4bn distributed to 101 areas through the towns fund.

The spokeswoman said the white paper would show how “bold new policy interventions will improve livelihoods across the country” and added: “We are taking decisive action to level up health inequalities across the country, providing extensive support to protect and improve the public’s health and wellbeing during the pandemic and beyond.”

Research has shown that the UK has higher levels of regional inequality than any other large wealthy country. Analysis by the University of Sheffield two years ago found that the UK was more inter-regionally unequal than 28 other advanced Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. Slovakia and Ireland were the only wealthy nations with worse inequality between regions, it found.

Analysis by Centre for Cities shows all major British cities outside London at the bottom of the western European league table for productivity. In Newcastle, Sheffield, Nottingham and Glasgow, the gross value added (GVA) per head – a measure of what is generated by economic activity in an area – is almost half that in Brussels, Amsterdam and Munich.

Life expectancy in UK cities is also among the lowest in western Europe. Female life expectancy in the UK is the 17th lowest when ranked against EU countries (83.1 years), higher only than Denmark, Poland, Bulgaria and Romania. A woman in Glasgow will on average live to nearly 80, compared with 88 in Madrid and 87 in Lyon, Toulouse and Nantes.

Jo Bibby, the director of heath at the Health Foundation, said the UK’s generally poor health was holding back the country’s economic performance. Mental health issues are the biggest cause of people being out of work, she said, and are an “obvious place to start” in the levelling-up agenda. “You won’t level up the economy unless you level up health,” she added.

Henri Murison, the director of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, the business and civic group chaired by George Osborne, urged the government to commit urgently to the rail projects HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail and address deep inequalities in health and education, “otherwise levelling up will be nothing more than rhetoric – not the serious economic rebalancing we were promised”.

Will we reach herd immunity for the new coronavirus? 

David Spiegelhalter is chair of the Winton Centre for Risk and Evidence Communication at Cambridge. Anthony Masters is statistical ambassador for the Royal Statistical Society www.theguardian.com

The Office for National Statistics Covid infection survey estimates that, either through vaccination or infection, an extraordinary 94% of adults now have antibodies to Sars-CoV-2.

So why are cases increasing and why does vaccine star Prof Sir Andrew Pollard say herd immunity for Covid-19 is “mythical”?

The reproduction number “R” is the average number of people infected by someone infected with Sars-CoV-2. If everyone in the population were susceptible, as in the start of an epidemic, this is labelled R0 (the basic reproduction number). For “vanilla” Sars-CoV-2, R0 was about three; with the Delta variant, it is about seven.

Suppose that among these seven people who would – on average – be infected, six were immune, the virus would only get passed on to one new person and the epidemic would stop growing. In this scenario, R would be effectively one. So, in theory, when 1 – 1/R0 of the population are immune, we reach herd immunity, which for Sars-CoV-2 is 6/7 = 86% of the population.

So what’s the problem? First, the neat formula does not describe real life: immunity is not uniformly spread and people do not mix evenly. Second, including children, the proportion of the population with antibodies is likely to be less than 94%. Third, the formula requires sterilising immunity: stopping infection in potential hosts. For this kind of virus, vaccinations reduce but do not eliminate the risk of infection, subsequent transmission and severe disease.

Sars-CoV-2 differs from measles, which has a very high R0 of about 16, but for which full vaccination or survived infections probably bestow lifelong immunity. Of course, measles can still spread when those lacking immunity are close, such as when young people who had not been vaccinated following the MMR scare in the early 00s grew up and started gathering at music festivals.

Sars-CoV-2 is becoming endemic, meaning continued recurrent outbreaks, especially in communities with low levels of immunity. We shall all remain at some risk, which is a difficult message for those with extreme anxiety about Covid-19. But while herd immunity may be an unattainable goal, every step towards it helps.

Banksy goes on a spraycation to the seaside, as only Bansky can.

(To view video click on the play button at the bottom left of the image)

EDDC is revising its Local Plan.Two thirds of East Devon are covered by supposedly protected AONBs. The Government wants to “Build, build, build” everywhere to meet its unsupported 300,000 thousand houses a year target.We await the autumn’s“simplifications” to the NPPF which will achieve this. 

Owl thought is appropriate to follow up the May post “Sounding the alarm on disappearing natural beauty” by reproducing the executive summary of the CPRE report, which can be found here.

From the full report: four AONB areas – High Weald, Cotswolds, Dorset and Chilterns – have accounted for over half (52%) of all greenfield development in AONBs. Dorset, for example, granted 771 housing units on greenfield sites between 2017/18 and 2020/21. The majority of planning applications on greenfield AONB land are being built at low densities; they are also not providing the affordable homes that rural communities need.

The saga of how the percentage of affordables in the “Evan’s Field” greenfield site development outside the Budleigh Salterton built-up area boundary but inside the AONB fell from 30 to 21, and then to only 5, is chronicled in the second half of this post.

Executive summary

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), are some of the UK’s most distinctive and cherished landscapes. Despite this, for several years there have been concerns about an ambiguity in the policy wording that underpins the planning protection for AONBs. This is leading to local authorities finding difficulty in applying weight to the AONB designation under the pressure placed on them to find land for housing to meet ‘objectively assessed need’. 

This report from CPRE, the countryside charity, highlights the extent of the threat facing England’s 34 AONBs as a result of unsuitable housing developments. The main findings are: 

• The threat to AONBs from development is increasing with pressure targeted on the south east and south west of England. Since 2017/18, an average of 1,670 housing units have been approved on an average of 119 hectares (ha) of greenfield land within AONBs each year. This is an average increase of 27% and 129% from the five years leading to 2017, respectively. Housing pressure in the south east and south west is most intense, with 85% of greenfield housing units being granted in AONBs in these regions. 
• The majority of planning applications on greenfield AONB land are allowed, and are being built at low densities; they are also not providing the affordable homes that rural communities need. On average, 80% of planning applications on greenfield AONB land are given permission. The density of housing on greenfield AONB land is on average just 16 dwellings per hectare, the focus of which is largely on building ‘executive’ houses with only 16% of all homes built being considered as affordable by the government’s definition. 
• High housing pressure is also being translated to land around AONBs, with houses built in the setting of AONBs increasing by 135% since 2012/13. 

To ensure that these special landscapes are safeguarded and are receiving the highest level of protection against development, CPRE recommends: 

A new requirement for the government and local planning authorities to maintain and publish annual information on the number of housing units that are permitted or refused in AONBs, and the amount of land developed for housing. 

Prioritising small scale affordable and social homes for local people, held by the community in perpetuity, on sustainable AONB sites. 

The public interest in conserving and enhancing AONBs should be prioritised over meeting and delivering on local plan housing targets. 

AONB partnerships should be treated as statutory consultees on major developments within or in the setting of AONBs, with a requirement for local authorities to give weight to their advice. 

The NPPF should be strengthened to prevent high levels of development in the setting of AONBs, all of which should be of a sensitive scale, location and design and only be permitted if it results in no adverse impacts on the AONB.

A man accusing former Exmouth mayor John Humphreys of sexually assaulting him as a teenager while he was on school work experience told a jury he ‘just froze’ when abused.

Becca Gliddon eastdevonnews.co.uk 

Humphreys, aged 59, of Hartley Road, Exmouth, is on trial at Exeter Crown Court accused of historic sex offences against two underage boys.

He denies ten charges against him, alleged to have taken place between 1990 and 2002.

The court heard Humphreys denied ever having any sexual activity with either of the boys.

The male – now an adult – in court on Thursday, August 11, said he ‘froze’ when as a teenage boy Humphreys allegedly took him to his flat during his work experience lunch break, put porn on the television, and touched him sexually.

He told the court ‘some months later’ he had oral sex with Humphreys while working for him full-time, and described another instance of sexual touching and masturbation.

He said the sexual abuse only stopped when they were ‘disturbed’ by other workmen at Humphreys’ gardening firm returning to the property to collect tools.

The male told police: “He put the telly on and there was porn on the telly. He unzipped my trousers and started touching me and making comments. I just froze.”

He added: “Most of the time it would be disturbed by the other guys coming back to get tools. Other times it seemed to last for hours.”

He told police he felt like Humphreys was in control of the situation, leaving him feeling ‘trapped’.

The male said: “There was no escape really. I couldn’t tell anyone or do anything about it. I had to keep going back [to work].”

The court heard he ‘felt sick’ and ‘just wanted to leave’.

“It was control, mental control,” he said. “Because you are a child you look up to adults. I was taught to respect adults, no matter what.”

He added: “I felt pressured to go back. I felt if I told anyone, people wouldn’t believe me anyway.”

The male, who said he was not attracted to men, said: “I didn’t know whether it was right or wrong, the things that had been done to me, I didn’t know if it changed me as a person.”

The court heard the male’s mother ‘dragged’ him to a police station in 2003, to report Humphreys for allegedly touching him sexually during his work experience fortnight, and again over the summer holidays while he continued working for the defendant.

The male gave police a written statement in 2004, but Humphreys was not charged.

In 2015 the male was approached by police to give a video statement, which he made in 2016.

That time he added fresh information, alleging Humphreys also engaged him in oral sex.

Under cross-examination, the male said he failed to tell police earlier about the oral sex allegation because his mum was in the interview room.

But his mother told the court she had waited outside the interview room when her son first spoke to police.

The male told the jury: “I was embarrassed about what people would think of me, being a straight person. It’s confusing.”

Defence barrister Fiona Elder told the jury the male continued to opt to work for Humphreys after his work experience placement ended, returning to take a summer job, and then onto additional employment with the landscape gardening firm when the school term restarted.

He accepted Humphreys’ help and money to enroll him at an agricultural college to gain a professional qualification, the jury heard.

And the male went back to work for Humphreys again in the summer of 2002, after dropping out of agricultural college, the court was told.

Ms Elder said: “When he [Humphreys] was involved in your life he was kind to you, encouraged you and gave you opportunity with your work.”

The male said: “I felt controlled and like I had to go back. I think I was a bit scared of him.”

The male told the court he had ‘no reason to lie’.

The man’s mother told the court she took her son to the police because he confided he had been abused when she found him ‘paralytic’ drunk after smashing up his flat in 2003.

She told the jury: “He was absolutely paralytic. I was very concerned. I got him into the car to try and find out what had gone wrong and why he had done what he had done.

“He broke down in tears. I was at the end of my tether with him. He walked around like he was under a cloud all the time. That wasn’t the person we knew. He was going off the rails and was drinking quite heavily.

“He said ‘you won’t believe me’.

“He said ‘I have been abused’. He sat on the car seat and was in a ball, just absolutely sobbing.

“I hugged him and held him close. I asked him who did this and he told me it was John Humphreys, of which I replied ‘we are going to the police’.”

Humphreys has denied two charges of indecent assault and three counts of a sex assault on a boy aged 12 to 13, between 1990 and 1991.

He has also pleaded not guilty to five further counts of indecent assault of a second boy aged 14 to 15 between 1999 and 2002.

The trial continues.

Owl’s selection of interesting insights. Especially the finding that Infections are higher than in the corresponding week of the second wave, but, mercifully, hospital admissions and deaths remain lower. Registered deaths in the South West are comparatively low but are increasing.

www.ons.gov.uk

Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases continued to be high in England and Northern Ireland in the latest week, while the trend is uncertain in Wales. Infections have decreased in Scotland.

The estimated percentage of the community population (those not in hospitals, care homes or other institutional settings) that had COVID-19 in the latest week was:

• 1.33% (1 in 75 people) in England in the week ending 6 August 2021
• 0.46% (1 in 220 people) in Wales in the week ending 7 August 2021
• 1.88% (1 in 55 people) in Northern Ireland in the week ending 7 August 2021
• 0.53% (1 in 190 people) in Scotland in the week ending 7 August 2021

Across England, infections increased for those between school Year 12 and those aged 24 years, while the trend is uncertain for all other age groups.

Infections have also decreased in the North East, North West, West Midlands and London. In other regions, the trend is uncertain in the latest week.

Although the percentage of people in England testing positive for coronavirus continued to be high in the latest week, our modelled estimates suggest an overall decrease in people testing positive over the past two weeks.

Hospitalisations and deaths are below second wave levels

Infections are higher than in the corresponding week of the second wave, but hospital admissions and deaths remain lower

Estimated percentage of the population testing positive for COVID-19, number of hospital admissions per 100,000 people, and number of deaths involving COVID-19, England

Infection levels in the week ending 6 August 2021 were higher than in the corresponding week of the second wave (week ending 21 November 2020). Despite higher infection levels, hospital admission rates and number of deaths involving COVID-19 are lower in the third wave. There were 6.63 hospital admissions of COVID-19 confirmed patients per 100,000 people in the week ending 8 August 2021, compared with 15.60 in the corresponding week of the second wave (week ending 22 November 2020). There were 389 deaths involving COVID-19 registered in England in the week ending 30 July, compared with 2,274 in the corresponding week of the second wave (week ending 13 November 2020).

The rise of COVID-19 infections was slower in the first few weeks of the third wave in comparison with the second wave. There is a period of time (lag) between a person becoming infected with COVID-19 and being admitted to hospital or dying because of it. Therefore, we might still see a change in hospital admissions and deaths corresponding to the recent changes in the infection levels.

The second wave of COVID-19 infections is estimated to have started in the week beginning 4 September 2020, and the third in the week beginning 23 May 2021. However, these are not exact dates and should be treated with caution.

You can read more about our definitions of waves and lags of COVID-19 in England in our technical article.

Last updated: 13/08/2021

Hospitalisations and deaths were highest in oldest age groups

In older age groups, recent COVID-19 positivity rates were lowest, but hospital admission rates and deaths were highest

Estimated percentage of the population testing positive for COVID-19 in the week ending 6 August 2021, hospital admission rates in the week ending 8 August, and deaths registered in the week ending 30 July, by age, England

Positivity rates were highest among secondary school age children (school Years 7 to 11) and young adults (school Year 12 to age 24 years) and lowest in adults aged 70 years and over in the latest week (week ending 6 August 2021). Hospital admission rates remained highest in those aged 75 years and over (week ending 8 August). The number of deaths involving COVID-19 increased in all age groups aged 45 years and over (week ending 30 July, England). The number of deaths involving COVID-19 was highest in those aged 85 years and over and lowest in children aged 14 years and under.

Last updated: 13/08/2021

Hospitalisations decreased in most English regions while deaths increased

In most English regions, hospital admissions decreased but deaths increased

Change in hospital admission rates and numbers of deaths involving COVID-19 from previous week, England, weeks ending 8 August and 30 July 2021

Hospital admission rates of COVID-19 confirmed patients decreased or remained similar in all English regions except East Midlands in the week ending 8 August 2021. The largest decrease was seen in the North East.

The number of registered deaths involving COVID-19 increased in seven of the nine English regions in the week ending 30 July. The largest increase was recorded in Yorkshire and The Humber (30 more deaths).

Last updated: 13/08/2021