A Public Survey shows little improvement on Light Pollution

CPRE and the “Campaign for Dark Skies” have completed another “Star Count” for this year. Only 2% of the population had truly dark skies. Saturating the night sky with unnecessary light blurs the distinction between town and countryside and can disrupt wildlife and people’s sleeping patterns. Street lighting in Devon also costs £3.4m in electricity every year. Exmoor National Park has been designated an “International Dark Sky Reserve”, the first in Europe to receive such a designation and only the second in the world. Light pollution is unnecessary, very expensive and can be reduced by using sensible measures.

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150MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), Axminster – At Appeal

An inquiry is due to commence on 10th March 2026, and scheduled to last for 4 days, regarding the application for a BESS on Land South of Hazelhurst, Raymonds Hill, Axminster (East Devon District Council reference number 24/0096/MFUL) (Appeal: APP/U1105/W/25/3369854). We strongly objected to the proposal because it would be a massive industrial complex of 27 acres located in the open countryside, in an area

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More houses for Halwill Junction, Torridge?

Despite a previous appeal for a new housing development in Holly Lane being dismissed, a new application has been submitted to Torridge District Council for 20 dwellings (ref 1/0020/2026/FULM). We have submitted an objection because the current proposal does not meaningfully address the Inspector’s previous concerns and does not overcome the reasons why the earlier scheme was dismissed.

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Application for 120 dwellings on the Callington Road, Tavistock, faces strong opposition

There has been a large outcry of opposition from local residents to this latest planning application for new houses in Tavistock, with many people fearing that the roads and services in and around the town just can't cope with any more. We have submitted a comprehensive objection to the application (ref 3771/25/OPA). Approximately 91% of the site is classified as Grade 3a agricultural land, which

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Another large housing development at Ottery St Mary, East Devon

We have submitted a comprehensive objection to the latest application for 63 dwellings on land east of the Sidmouth Road (ref 26/0094/MOUT). East Devon District Council's own evidence base Site Selection Report Ottery St Mary (Sept 2024 p 36-38) concluded this site should not be allocated due to landscape sensitivity, heritage considerations, infrastructure constraints, highway limitations, and high-quality agricultural land. There has been no change

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STOP PRESS! Holsworthy Beacon – Devon’s mega solar proposal

We have just heard that Beacon Solar have withdrawn their NSIP application for the 2,700 acre project at Holsworthy Beacon, citing a need for ‘further assessment’. While this is good news, we do not regard it as an end to the threat. Therefore please continue to sign and share the Petition devoncpre.org.uk so that we are all the more prepared if and when the application

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9 dwellings, Westleigh, North Devon – Appeal lodged

Folowing the refusal by North Devon District Council (ref 80423), an appeal has now been lodged. Appeal ref 6003960. The deadline for comments to be received by the Planning Inspectorate is 4th March. Comments can be made online at acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk. We had objected to the application, supporting our members of the local community who oppose the scheme.

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