latest news

Devon CPRE backs villagers fighting to preserve the unique character and setting of East Allington in the South Hams

Residents in the rural South Hams village of East Allington turned out in force this week (Thursday, 11 June) for a public meeting to discuss…

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‘Wrong development, wrong location’ – new Brixham housing proposal on farmland should be refused

We’ve submitted a comprehensive objection to Torbay Council (planning application reference: P/2026/0148) outlining numerous reasons why proposals should be refused to build 175 homes on…

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Devon solar farm shut down to avert grid overload

Power ‘shut down’ at Derril Water Solar Park and other North Devon renewable generators to avert grid overload Devon CPRE has learnt that National Grid…

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Edward Capern Festival – 4/5 June 2026

Devon CPRE sponsors inaugural festival to celebrate ‘Devonshire’s Robbie Burns’ on Devon Day, 4 June 2026 We are really pleased to be sponsoring the first…

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Westleigh, near Instow, housing appeal dismissed

We are delighted that a Planning Inspector has dismissed an appeal by the Christie Estate for outline permission to build a cluster of new houses…

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Major development of 450 houses permitted at Barnstaple, North Devon

Despite numerous objections, including our own, North Devon District Council planning committee have permitted this major development at Brynsworthy, on the edge of Barnstaple. The proposal had been refused two years ago for being outside the development boundary, lack of connection to services and infrastructure issues. But this time around, councillors were told if they refused it again they were likely to lose if it

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Development of 41 new houses proposed for green fields outside Hatherleigh, West Devon

We have submitted an objection to West Devon Borough Council to this current planning application. The site is in a prominent location on the approach into Hatherleigh and is a strategically important. It fails to demonstrate compliance with Policy TTV24 in terms of delivering a high quality gateway into Hatherleigh.

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Braunton, North Devon solar farm permitted

We are completely dismayed that North Devon District Council has permitted a 108-acre solar farm in Braunton without even a planning committee debate. Exagen Development was granted planning permission by North Devon District Council yesterday for a solar array along with a substation, cabling, CCTV and fencing on farmland south of Buttercombe Lane, Braunton (Planning Application 80182). The decision not only to grant permission but

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Our response to Marlcombe in East Devon not making the Government’s New Town shortlist

The government’s announcement this week that the proposed new town of Marlcombe in East Devon is not on its shortlist of those likely to proceed will come as a big relief to the local community, which has long opposed the controversial scheme. Devon CPRE has always been concerned about the loss of some 500 hectares, primarily farmland and some ancient woodland, arguing that we need

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