Parish Council News June 2026

We were delighted to see so many of you at this this year’sAnnual Assemblyon the 23rd April. The assembly is an opportunity to meet with parishioners, report on what we have been up to during the year, invite a selection of guests to speak on topics of local interest, and for people to raise any matters of interest or concern.

First up, Josh Scillitoe, our local Highways representative, gave us a very informative resume of his work. Indeed his explanation on the categorisation of potholes was memorable. Josh is our first point of call for all road issues, dealing directly himself with minor works such as unblocking drains, etc, and reporting major issues back to Highways. One such issue currently is the closing of the pathway from Orchard Meadow into Bretteville Close. The leat beneath the path has hollowed out the ground leaving a large cavity needing structural repair.

Following on, James Green, Head Teacher of Chagford Primary School, spoke with enthusiasm and commitment about his work and his pupils. The challenges, aspirations and achievements that the children of Chagford are tackling and achieving sounded all very encouraging. He described the children as feeling safe and listened to. Staff turnover is low. Phonics and reading test results are all above national expectations. And parental support and involvement seems high. It was lovely to hear such positivity.

Jane Elliott, our local District Councillor, then explained the services that West Devon District Council are responsible for : Waste and Recycling; Housing; Car Parks; Leisure; Community health and wellbeing; the Crisis and Resilience Fund; and Council Tax, of which: 10% goes to West Devon Borough Council, 5% to Chagford Parish Council, 70% to Devon County Council, 11% to the Police and 4% to the Fire services. She also updated us on the Local Government re-organisation, explaining that Devon has put forward 5 different ideas for the Government to consider, and a decision is expected in July.

Finally, Sue Davies, our local County Councillor, outlined some aspects of her work, explaining that, of the County Council budget, the great majority goes on children’s services and social care. She praised the friends of Chagford Library in their enthusiastic support and welcomed our two new volunteer road wardens.
Cllr Davies has a small Locality Budget that opened on the 11th May.
This is available to projects that are beneficial to local communities and in line with the Council’s Strategic Plan, namely:-

Positive futures for our young people.
Supporting independence and dignity.
A green Devon for future generations.
Economic inclusion and local prosperity.
Stronger communities and safer places

As Chair of the Parish Council, I then gave a resume of the years’ work, much of which is outlined below. There followed a lively, and rather lengthy, discussion about parking, both within and without the car parks, provoking much food for thought, and finally we finished the evening with some good chat over wine and cheese.

Bellacouch car park. As you know, parking charges came into force in the new car park last August, since when it has been very underused and we are now actively looking at this situation. The original plan was to encourage visitors to Chagford to use the bottom car park, thereby relieving traffic from The Square. In order to encourage this, Highways have offered to improve the signage to the new car park, and West Devon, who own the top car park, will increase their charges a little for longer stays.
The top car park is due to be re-surfaced, which will require the shutting of the car park for a few days - we don’t yet have a date. They will also re-do the layout of the car spaces, making them a little bigger. Finally their new charges will be introduced.
Once the new charges come in, stays of 4 hrs or more at Bellacouch car park will be cheaper than at the top car park.
A reminder, Bellacouch car park is free until 10am every morning except Sundays when it is free until 1pm.
Highways Parking Review. Having met with Devon County Council Highways Department to discuss proposals for amending the on-street parking arrangements in Chagford, the general view was that the existing system of marked parking bays works remarkably well considering the challenge of getting buses, delivery vehicles, huge timber lorries, farm machinery and holiday traffic, all through The Square, sometimes several of these all at once. It was thought that removing the restricted parking zones altogether as proposed, and replacing them with limited lengths of yellow lines, might lead back to the serious traffic jams that predated the marked parking bay system. Highways’ proposals were therefore declined and later this year the existing parking bays will be repainted and the signage renewed.
EV Chargers. Just to remind everyone that there are 4 EV chargers in the new car park. The Parish Council have applied for planning permission to put solar panels on the roof of the business units, to power these chargers. We await a decision.
Phone Box. Our newly acquired phone box will soon be having its face lift, after which its new defibrillator will be installed.
Padley Common Scrub Clearance. With the help of the Chagford Conservation Group we have continued our clearance work at Padley, partly aimed at widening the paths and thereby protecting them from turning into a mud bath, and partly to continue opening up the breeding areas for all our rare butterflies.
Padley Common Boardwalks and Gate replacement. (see photo) The boardwalks and new gates, largely funded by a “Farming in Protected Landscapes” Grant, were installed over the winter. Much thanks to our contractor for their sterling work and for getting it all completed on time, despite the terrible weather.
Thermal Imaging Camera. We hired one of these cameras and, with help from Tamar Energy, showed people how to check the cold spots and heat loss areas in their homes. A follow up has been offered by Tamar Energy to carry out a personalised visit and suggest ways of dealing with heat loss and damp.
Road Warden. We are very pleased to report that Chagford now has two road wardens, able to carry out minor works such as filling small potholes and clearing vegetation. Ideally any road issues should be reported to highways first at https://www.devon.gov.uk/roads...
Bellacouch Meadows Leat. The gravelly banks of the leat that runs in the hollow past the new car park, started eroding after the tremendous downpours during the winter. The gravel washed down the leat and threatened to block the culvert under Ellis Drive. We have had to clear it out twice, quite a job at the bottom of such steep banks. We are in discussions with various bodies about this and will soon be in a position to put together a scheme for stabilising the situation.
Lamb Park Outline Planning Application. Negotiations around this planning application have been going on for some 2 years. Last month the Dartmoor National Park Development Management Committee turned the application down on the grounds of the reduction in the rate of affordable homes; a layout that would result in a car-dominated design; and the loss of a significant number of valuable mature native trees.
The rate required for affordable housing in the National Park is set at 45%. However, the application had reduced this to 28% on the grounds of viability. The Parish council made it clear to the committee that we were deeply disappointed with this rate reduction. We pointed out that house prices in Chagford are very high and the affordable housing needs never seems to be met, despite these new developments. A majority of the National Park committee seemed to agree with this view, though the vote was very close. One member of the committee also stated that they thought that planners should take more notice of Parish Councils, a sentiment with which we rather agree!
We understand that the applicant is now likely to go for appeal, a process that may take about a year.
In the meantime, the National Park may look to review their criteria on affordable housing.

A reminder, as usual, that you are welcome to attend the Parish Council’s regular monthly meetings, held in Endecott House on the 2nd Monday of every month at 7.30pm. The agenda is posted on the website and notice board on Wednesday or Thursday before each meeting.
If you would like to receive a regular copy of the newsletter by email please contact Emily, the clerk, at clerk@chagfordparishcouncil.gov.uk with your email address.
From all of us at the parish council,
Belinda Hayter-Hames
belinda.hayter-hames@chagfordparishcouncil.gov.uk
(Chair)

P.S.
We hope you enjoyed the Chagford Summer Fete on Saturday at Chagford House. The simple and happy pleasures of Afternoon Teas, Bbq, Stalls, a Silver Band, Tombola, Morris dancers, Pony rides, Classic cars, Pimms and Games.

Locality Budget Fund
Please contact Sue Davies directly if you wish to apply or have any questions. sue.davies@devon.gov.uk