North Molton Parish News

THE COUNTY OF DEVON (TEMPORARY RESTRICTION) (ROAD FROM FIVE BARROWS CROSS TO KINSFORD GATE CROSS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO ROAD FROM HUNSTONE CROSS TO NORTHLAND CROSS, BRAYFORD/NORTH MOLTON) NOTICE 2025

TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF THROUGH TRAFFIC

DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL hereby give NOTICE that:

From THURSDAY 22 MAY 2025 Until MONDAY 26 MAY 2025 (both dates inclusive) for a maximum of 5 days no person shall cause or permit any vehicle to proceed on the sections of Affected Roads.

Roads affected - ROAD FROM FIVE BARROWS CROSS TO KINSFORD GATE CROSS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO ROAD FROM HUNSTONE CROSS TO NORTHLAND CROSS, BRAYFORD/NORTH MOLTON   

The alternative, signed, route for vehicles will be via - NORTHLAND CROSS - A399 - BRAYFORD - FREINDSHIP FARM CROSS - B3358 - SIMONSBATH - B3223 - SIMONSBATH BRIDGE - KINSFORD GATE CROSS & VICE VERSA.

This temporary restriction is considered necessary to enable -  SURFACE DRESSING

For additional information contact: KIELY BROS Telephone: 07425 158911

North Molton Village and PC AGMs are being held at 7:30pm Wednesday 7th May in The Victory Hall, North Molton. All welcome - come and find out what the various organisations and groups in the village are getting up to.  The agenda is under the Parish Council dropdown.

On the 2nd of April 2025 Councillor Clare Barron and councillor Mandy Lyons  held  a drop in surgery  at the village shop on behalf of the parish council. Several parishioners came and raised some issues which are being addressed below.

1 - Why aren't the lights at Bonners bridge being used? It still appears that they're using the lights on gantries and generators, and I just wondered why they're not using the  actual lights.

The contractors are still working on the site, and the move to the installed lights will be done as part of their timetable. 

2 - Why wasn't the wall it on East Street completely finished? When will it be?

The Parish Council is paying for the repairs, and as such the funds have to come from the local community as part of their precept/Council Tax. In order to spread the cost and not cause a larger Council Tax increase, the Parish Council decided to take a phased approach. The plan is to complete the remaining repairs this year, although it may be somewhat dependent on weather.

3 - When are the affordable houses at Holywell Meadow going to go on the market and be available and how is all that going to work?

The application process is ongoing and a link for further details can be found under the Parish News section of the village website www.northmoltonvillage.co.uk. There are also details on the Cavanna Homes website at https://www.cavannahomes.co.uk/developments/north-molton/

4 - Where's the new parish notice board? What's going to be on it?

The new noticeboard will be next to the path on the way into the Community Shop and Laurels Playground.  It will be used exclusively for Parish Council reports/activities and local government items such as election details etc. There is a noticeboard within the shop for other use. The outward facing side of the noticeboard will eventually have a promotional sign for the shop.

5 - What is the parish council,  who's on it and what they actually do? Could there be photos of all the counsellors and their roles on the new notice board?

The village website has a copy of the March 2024 summary of what the Parish Council does, what the other layers of local government are responsible for, who the Councillors are etc (under Parish News, called North Molton Parish Council - March update). This information sheet was posted through all resident doors in the parish last year, and if you would  like a hard-copy because you don't have internet access, call the clerk on 07784 177666.  There will be updates when appropriate.

The current noticeboard has a list of Councillors and the website has a photograph and more details (under Parish Council menu option). This will be updated soon as we now have a new Councillor, and once the new board is installed, the photos and mini-bios will be posted there.

6 - Can anything be done to promote litter picking on New Road and elsewhere?

The Parish Council will add this as a future agenda item for a proper discussion about options and other issues, such as insurance cover, risk assessments etc.

7 - There is a brown tourist sign pointing to North Molton as an Historic Mining Village, but there is nothing to show this in the village.  Can something be done?

Again, the Parish Council will discuss this at a future meeting.

The Parish Council will hold another open surgery in July, date and time to be confirmed. Please come along – we do listen and respond – the Parish Council is here to represent our community.

Notification of Road Closure – Work Ref: LM300FH11159787 on FORE STREET, NORTH MOLTON

South West Water has applied for a road closure to complete utility works outside Red Lion Cottage to near 1 New Oaks. These works, subject to approval from Devon Highways, will take place between 06/05/2025 and 09/05/2025. All efforts will be made to maintain access to properties within the area of the closure and minimise disruption. If you require further information, please contact the Helpline on 0344 346 2020.

Please also find attached the latest Griffiths Traffic Bulletin for the North Devon Link Road Project - A361 - (Portmore to Borners Bridge) or click HERE to view online at the Griffiths Community Website under Traffic Updates. This bulletin contains important Traffic Information regarding night closures and traffic management programme. For additional project information or to view all newsletters and traffic updates online, please visit the Griffiths in the Community North Devon Link Road website HERE [if !supportLineBreakNewLine] [endif]

STATEMENT OF PERSONS NOMINATED/CANDIDATE DETAILS

Devon County Council Election – Thursday 1 May 2025

We have now published the Statement of Persons Nominated for each of our County Divisions, please see attached.

This information is also available on our website here: https://www.northdevon.gov.uk/council/voting-and-elections/election-results/county-elections/devon-county-council-election

Please do not hesitate to email elections@northdevon.gov.uk or call 01271 388277 if you have any queries.

A new Monday to Saturday evening timetable will be introduced between North Devon District Hospital and Landkey every 60 minutes funded by BSIP, for route 155.  Please see attached.

North Molton Parish Council is holding a series of drop-ins so that you can meet some of the team and raise any issues of concern (or just have a cuppa and a chat).

The first of these is on Wednesday 2nd April, from 10-12 in the Community Shop.  More details on the attached poster.

Future events will be held at different times to maximise opportunities to come.

North Devon Council is inviting people to have their say on a new draft Housing Strategy, which sets out a high-level vision and objectives as to how the council plans to try and meet the housing needs and hopes of our communities.

The Housing Strategy will guide the Council's activities in delivering and discharging its housing functions and responsibilities, whilst ensuring that resources and efforts are best directed to tackle the housing challenges that the area faces. It was compiled following the publication of the Devon Housing Commission Report in July 2024, championed by Lord Best.

The draft Strategy has been prepared in full consultation with a working group of elected Members, who have been involved through a dedicated workshop and feedback sessions. It is built on a foundation of three themes:

• Prevent Homelessness: Preventing homelessness by supporting citizens to stay in their current home if they have one, but if this isn’t possible/or they are already homeless seek to help them find alternative solutions.
• Provide New Housing Supply: Supply new housing to meet social demand, delivering affordable & sustainable healthy homes wherever possible.
• Make Homes Healthy: Improving the quality of existing homes making them safe and healthy, in turn making their occupants healthy too.

The Council recognises the value of gaining different perspectives and insights and therefore inviting you to submit your views. The draft strategy is available for wider consultation for a period of seven weeks from Monday 10 February 2025 to Monday 31 March 2025. 

You can view the draft strategy and find out more by visiting the Council's website at Let's Talk North Devon

The survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete and your views and feedback are valued.

The Council is using a new IT platform for consultation and engagement and you are invited to register to be kept up to date with opportunities to have your say and get involved with shaping the future of North Devon Register | Let's Talk North Devon

Thank you for your time when the survey closes the results will be summarised and presented to the Strategy and Resources Committee on 12 May 2025.  You can find Committee agendas and reports on the North Devon Council Committee Meetings webpage.  Browse Meetings, 2025 | North Devon Council

Kind regards

The Community Engagement Team (North Devon District Council)

Please find attached details of the affordable homes being developed at Hollywell Meadow, North Molton.  The poster explains what will be available, and how to register your interest.  As the application process is lengthy, and there will be competition, you are advised to register as soon as possible.

North Molton Parish Council meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month (unless otherwise stated), starting at 7:30 pm. Members of the public are welcome.

• Weds      8th January                          The Victory Hall, North Molton
• Weds      12th February                        The Victory Hall, North Molton
• Weds      12th March                            The Victory Hall, North Molton
• Weds      9th April                               The Victory Hall, North Molton

Weds      7th May  The Victory Hall, North Molton [Village Annual Meeting and Parish Council Annual Meeting]

• Weds      21nd May                               The Victory Hall, North Molton
• Weds      11th June                               The Victory Hall, North Molton
• Weds      9th July                                   The Victory Hall, North Molton
• Weds      13th August                           Heasley Mill Village Hall
• Weds      10th September                     The Victory Hall, North Molton
• Weds      8th October                           The Victory Hall, North Molton
• Weds      12th November                      Heasley Mill Village Hall
• Weds      10th December                      The Victory Hall, North Molton

For any queries, please contact Ian Fisher, Parish Clerk - 07784 177666 nmpclerk@gmail.com

Do you work/train in construction or a trade? Maybe you're a home owner or heritage building enthusiast...?

If so, you should check out NDDC's new website northdevonheritageskills.co.uk

The Heritage Skills project, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, seeks to address the heritage skills gap in North Devon and help protect the district's local historic buildings.

The aim is to support training and development of the skills needed to maintain the historic buildings and places of North Devon, where we live, work, learn and play. These buildings will go on for many years to come if we look after them well, with the right people, having the right skills, and using the right materials.

The website will host a directory of trades and service professionals, information for property owners, and links to skills and training opportunities; organisers will be hosting a range of course between October 2024 and March 2025. 

Thank you to Nigel Penfold for pointing out the following:

As from 1st October, it will be a legal requirement for everyone who keeps any sort of birds on their property to register them with DEFRA. This applies to chickens, ducks, birds of prey ... everything. Previously, if you kept fewer than 50, there was no requirement to register, but there is now no lower limit. Pet birds kept indoors are exempt. The registration process is quick. Details on the DEfRA website.

Please find attached the presentation from Cavanna Homes that was made at our last Parish Council meeting (11/09/24). Details of the discussion can be found in the minutes (under Parish Council, Meeting Minutes).

If you are over State Pension age, you may be eligible to claim Pension Credit, even if you own your home or have savings. People who claim Pension Credit may also be able to get:

- The Winter Fuel Payment and other help with heating costs

- Help with rent and Council Tax

- A free TV Licence for those aged 75 or over 

- Help with the cost of NHS services, such as NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments

You could be eligible for Pension Credit if your weekly income is below £218.15 or, if you have a partner who lives with you, £332.95. Qualifying income level may be higher in some circumstances.

Don’t miss out.  Check your eligibility at gov.uk/pension-credit or by calling 0800 99 1234

The first turf has been cut to mark the start of construction at a new community in the village of North Molton by Westcountry housebuilder Cavanna Homes.

The development of 39 open market and affordable homes has been named Hollywell Meadow, after a unanimous vote by local schoolchildren at North Molton Primary School.

Five children from the school, with their Headteacher Angela Fernyhough, joined the village’s Parish Council Chair Sir Richard Peek, North Devon District Councillor, Liz Bulled and Director of Land and Design at Cavanna Homes, Michael Newman, for the ceremony at Hollywell Meadow off Fore Street.

Pupils Arthur Bolton, Tabitha Noble, Dougie Butt, Brennan Thomas and Josie Alford, donned hard hats and hi-vis jackets for the event to celebrate naming the new community of homes.

The ceremony marks the beginning of building work on 39 homes, 11 of which will be marketed as affordable and available for shared ownership or social rent.

Sir Richard said: “This is an exciting time for North Molton with a community of new homes coming forward by a local homebuilder. It was a pleasure to mark the start of construction on-site and I look forward to seeing the scheme take shape.”

Cllr Bulled said: “This is positive for the village with lots of advantages which wouldn’t be possible without a new housing development, such as the new footpath from the sports centre to the school, creating safer walking routes for children and their families. It’s great to see that affordable housing has also been allocated for the community.”

The one to four-bedroom homes will be energy efficient, fitted with air source heat pumps, solar panels and electric vehicle charging points. High levels of insulation and double-glazing will be installed in every property.

The scheme will include a village green, allotments, a play area and a footpath to the village sports and community centre.

Children from North Molton Primary School named the development site, Hollywell Meadow in a vote held earlier this year.

Classes across the whole school took part in the ballot to choose from three possible names on a shortlist, drawn up by Torquay-based Cavanna Homes. Mrs Fernyhough, the Headteacher, said: “Every class voted for the name – Hollywell Meadow – it was a unanimous decision, and the children are so pleased to have played a part in this new community.”

The properties are expected to bring new families to the thriving North Devon village. As part of the planning agreement, Cavanna Homes will provide funding for secondary education, secondary school transport and highway improvements.

The Marketing Suite at Hollywell Meadow will be open in late summer, with a Show Home available for would-be buyers to view in spring 2025.

For more information about Hollywell Meadow, visit: www.cavannahomes.co.uk/developments/north-molton.

Please find attached an update from the North Molton Parish Council on their activities last year and plans for the new financial year.  All residencies within the Parish should receive a hard copy, but if you have not and would like one, contact the clerk on nmpclerk@gmail.com.

A reminder that 'Farming in Protected Landscapes' (FiPL) programme funding is open to applications on Exmoor that can be delivered between this year and March 2025. Funding can be sought for one-off projects, supporting farmers and land managers to carry out projects that:

🌱Aid #nature recovery

🌱Mitigate the impacts of #climatechange 

🌱Support nature-friendly, #sustainablefarming businesses

🌱Promote easier access on public rights of way

Exmoor National Park - Farming in Protected Landscapes

Or email conservation@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk and a FIPL Officer will be in touch.

North Molton Parish Council meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month (unless otherwise stated), starting at 7:30 pm. Members of the public are welcome.

• Weds      10th January                          The Victory Hall, North Molton
• Weds      14th February                        The Victory Hall, North Molton
• Weds      13th March                            The Victory Hall, North Molton
• Weds      10th April                               The Victory Hall, North Molton

Weds      8th May  The Victory Hall, North Molton [Village Annual Meeting and Parish Council Annual Meeting]

• Weds      22nd May                               The Victory Hall, North Molton
• Weds      12th June                               The Victory Hall, North Molton
• Weds      10th July                                The Victory Hall, North Molton
• Weds      14th August                           Heasley Mill Village Hall
• Weds      11th September                     The Victory Hall, North Molton
• Weds      9th October                           The Victory Hall, North Molton
• Weds      13th November                      Heasley Mill Village Hall
• Weds      11th December                      The Victory Hall, North Molton

For any queries, please contact Ian Fisher, Parish Clerk - 07784 177666 nmpclerk@gmail.com

Citizens Advice Torridge, North, Mid & West Devon are running a fuel voucher scheme this autumn and winter. Some residents may be struggling with the cost of living again this winter, with energy costs continuing to take up a large amount of the household budget. People on prepayment meters who are struggling to top up may be entitled to receive fuel vouchers from CAB.  They are able to issue £98 of energy vouchers to households at their first contact (subject to ID checks), and then following an energy advice session with a member of the team, they may be able to issue a further two sets of £98 vouchers.

Call 01237 879233 or email fuelvouchers@ruraldevoncab.org.uk

As part of providing local homes for local people, certain developments within the Parish have conditions attached to them with regards to giving local residents first option for purchase.  One such opportunity has arisen in Winsor Meadow, North Molton village. The property listing is linked here, and the conditions for purchase are attached.  For further details, please contact the property agent via the link.

Further similar opportunities are likely to arise as this area of the village is further developed.

Attached the presentation given on the 8th of June 2023.