Archive for category: News

The chaotic scenes in Chillington earlier this week, with queues of traffic stretching on occasion as far back as Carehouse Cross in one direction and Coombe Meadows in the other, seem to have been caused by poorly positioned and badly timed traffic lights controlling the roadworks – roadworks that popped up overnight without any of the usual notifications, the haste justified on the grounds that they constituted “emergency repairs” to the electricity supply.

Parish Councillors might have seen this as a foretaste of things to come. For just last week we were treated to a presentation from National Grid, designed to break the bad news to the community that a seven-week closure of the A379 through Chillington was planned for the new year, starting mid-January.

While the proposed works – involving the installation of an upgraded 3-phase electricity supply through the length of the village that would future-proof residents against the demands of heat pumps and EV chargers – seemed entirely sensible and prudent, the disruption involved would be extensive and burdensome. It was clear that the entire operation, including arrangements for access to properties, alternative parking and bus-route liaison, would need to be planned with military precision to avoid exactly the sorts of snarl-ups and gridlock that were witnessed in the village in the past few days. To give them due credit, the folks from National Grid promised that they would liaise closely with Parish Council and neighbourhood groups, both to share information and keep disruption to a minimum.

Still, it was with some relief that we learned midweek that the proposed works will NOT now be going ahead next year after all, Devon County Council having put the kibosh on the plan due to the length of closure. The work still needs doing, however, and at the time of writing it is envisaged that it will occur in January 2027. This sounds like a highly dubious claim, so watch this space for further developments.

Draft minutes of Stokenham Parish Council’s October meeting are now published and available on the website.

There’s still time for Devon residents to help shape a new strategy aimed at reversing the decline in wildlife and restoring the county’s natural environment.

The draft Devon Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) sets out a collaborative plan to protect and enhance nature across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay. Developed by Devon County Council in partnership with the Devon Local Nature Partnership, district councils, other local authorities and community and voluntary groups, the strategy is open for public consultation until 5 November 2025.

England is split into 48 LNRS areas and the responsible authority for Devon is Devon County Council who is tasked with preparing and publishing the strategy. The LNRS identifies key priorities and actions to support nature’s recovery — from restoring habitats and species to improving urban green spaces and building resilience to climate change. It also highlights opportunities for collaboration, funding and decision-making across sectors.

The strategy is designed to reflect the needs and values of Devon’s diverse communities. Whether you’re a farmer, landowner, developer, business owner, wildlife enthusiast or resident, your views will help shape how nature is protected and restored in the years ahead.

To take part, visit www.naturerecoverydevon.org.uk to explore the draft strategy, find out about consultation events, and share your feedback.

Those who regularly or even occasionally travel by bus will know the frustration of trying to put together a journey using timetables that may not tie up with connecting services. Devon County Council have made a new interactive map available that could provide the solution we’ve all been waiting for. Try it out here. This link is also stored permanently under the Bus heading on the Public Transport page of the Community tab on the website.

Draft minutes of September’s Full Council Meeting are now published and on the website.