ROAD FROM BOMMERTOWN CROSS TO HIGHATON HEAD CROSS, EAST ANSTEY & ROAD FROM BOMMERTOWN CROSS TO WADHAM CROSS, MOLLAND

9th to 14th of November 2026

See attachment Bommerton Cross for more details and map of diversions.

ROAD FROM BOTTREAUX MILL CROSS TO BEERE CROSS, BOTTREAUX MILL

11th December 2026

See attachment BNottreaux Mill for more details and map of diversions.

ROAD FROM ABBOTS CROSS TO BOTTREAUX MILL CROSS, MOLLAND

14th December 2026

See attachment Abbots Cross for more details and map of diversions.

Dear Residents

I have recently been in contact with our County-level Highways Officer for an update on Touts Bridge, as has the Clerk for Bish Nym (Ute) to discuss from their side.

The current state of play is that officially the bridge is closed and will remain closed until the repairs have been carried out, which are “expected soon” (whatever that means). Anyone crossing the bridge, if caught by the Police, will receive a fine – whether or not the closure signs and blocks are in place, which currently they are not courtesy of persons unknown. The Police have been informed by County that someone has tampered with the closure and safety measures, and Highways are considering putting more permanent restrictions in place.

Molland Parish Council has been in regular contact with Highways and our County Councillor Richard Hopley, as well as discussing the issue with various other key people at County. Richard and I have impressed upon them that this bridge is a vital part of the transport network into and out of Molland and beyond, and that the closures should be for as short a time as possible. We have also provided them with a more appropriate diversionary route for large vehicles (thanks Kate), as the original one went under a low and narrow bridge. We are assured that Highways understand the concerns (mainly around emergency vehicles, contractor and farming equipment, school-runs etc) and are progressing as quickly as they can, given financial and expertise constraints.

Your Parish Council understands how frustrating all of this is, but has no control over the workings of Highways, and can only badger on a regular basis for the works to be carried out and completed. In the meantime, please be aware of what I said above regarding the illegality of driving across the bridge and that it has been deemed unsafe to cross by Highways.

Thanks, Ian Fisher, Parish Clerk

North Devon Council is inviting residents to share their views as part of a public consultation on the renewal of its Dogs Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which is due for review in 2027.

Introduced in 2021 and last renewed in 2024, the PSPO is designed to tackle anti-social behaviour linked to dog fouling and dogs out of control, while ensuring public spaces remain accessible and enjoyable for responsible dog owners.

The eight-week consultation closes 30th September, giving residents the opportunity to help shape how dog control measures are managed across the district.

The existing order includes a range of requirements, including:

• making it an offence for owners not to pick up after their dog; requiring dogs out of control to be placed on a lead when requested by an authorised officer; and mandating that dogs are kept on a lead in cemeteries, churchyards and graveyards, ornamental or formal public gardens, council-owned car parks and allotments.
• It also stipulates that no person may walk more than six dogs at any one time, with a maximum of three off-lead or on extended leads (over 2 metres). Dogs are prohibited from formal sports pitches and enclosed children’s play areas.
• Between 1 May and 30 September dogs are not permitted on Croyde or Combe Martin beaches. Dogs must also be kept on a lead in specified areas of Croyde Dunes at certain times of year and must not be walked in breach of any clearly signposted temporary restrictions.

Take part in the consultation via the NorthDevon.gov.uk/...LetsTalk   

The current blue-tongue outbreak that is affecting sheep, goats, cattle and camelids (llamas, alpacas etc) in North Devon is likely to have severe practical and emotional effects on many in the farming and related industries, as well as people who have these animals as pets/small herds.

There is a lot of help out there, so PLEASE contact someone if you are struggling. Don't be embarassed or think your issue is not important enough - reach out, as help is available. Remember too that there is no impact on human health, and people cannot get blue-tongue. Also, it is passed not from animal-to-animal contact but via midge bites.

For practical and emotional support:

Exmoor Hill Farming Network (EHFN) Office: 01643 841455 Katherine Williams: 07970 795808

Farming Community Network (FCN) Helpline: 03000 111999

RABI 24hr Helpline: 0800 1884444

Your vet will be able to give practical advice on vaccinations, treatment etc.

There is also the Samaritans 24hr Helpline: 116 123Y

You can also call or email your Parish Clerk (Ian Fisher, 07784 177666 clerk@mollandparish.gov.uk) as he is engaging with the EHFN.

It is also important to keep checking up on friends and neighbours - just because someone is not talking about the issue, it doesn't mean that they may not appreciate some help. A cuppa and a chat could be just what they need to get a few things of their chest and feel better able to cope.

Message from North Devon District Council

We, the People and Place Team at North Devon and Torridge District Councils, are working together to prepare a new local plan for northern Devon. We have published a notice stating our intention to commence plan-making and a local plan timetable to set out the key milestones of this process. You can find both on our respective websites Local plan | North Devon Council and Planning Policy | Torridge District Council.

The new plan will guide future development in the area, including where new homes, jobs, services and infrastructure may be needed. It will affect everybody who lives, works and visits here.

We have opened a Scoping Consultation to ask our communities and other stakeholders what we should include in the plan, and how we can best involve people as we prepare it. 

[SCOPING CONSULTATION EVENT] 

The deadline to submit responses is: 17:00 on Tuesday 11 August 2026.

For more information, including our Scoping Consultation Document and details of other ways to submit comments, visit the portal using the above consultation event link.

This Scoping Consultation is the first of multiple consultations we will run throughout this project, and we would very much welcome your input throughout. Your responses will help us understand the issues that matter most and shape each stage of plan-making so that we prepare a plan which reflects the needs and aspirations of our communities.

If you have any questions about responding to the consultation, please contact us at either peopleandplace@northdevon.gov.uk or peopleandplace@torridge.gov.uk.

Please be advised that the Parish Council meeting scheduled for the 14th of July has been cancelled.  Our next meeting will be on the 8th of September.  As usual, all welcome.

Thanks, Ian Fisher (Parish Clerk)

The yearly Audit Paperwork for Molland Parish Council is now available under Parish Council, Legal Documents.

The public has the right to look at all of the paperwork associated with this audit (see attachement that details those rights).

The official period is 3rd June to 14th July 2026, but you can contact the Clerk at any time.

clerk@mollandparish.gov.uk

North Devon Council has launched a renewed crackdown on dog fouling as part of its Clear Messages initiative - a no-nonsense approach to addressing the environmental issues that matter most to residents.

Dog fouling continues to be one of the most frequently reported problems received by the council’s Environmental Health team. Beyond being unpleasant, dog mess poses health risks, particularly to children, impacts play areas and parks, damages community pride, and places repeated pressure on council officers.

While the vast majority of dog owners in North Devon act responsibly, those who fail to pick up after their pets face a £100 fixed penalty notice, rising to a potential £1,000 fine upon summary conviction.

Residents are encouraged to help by reporting incidents online (there is also a link on the main NM website page) and providing photographs, locations and other details such as descriptions or vehicle registrations where it is safe to do so. Evidence from the public is vital in helping officers identify repeat offenders and issue penalties.

The council is also asking residents to support the campaign by following and sharing messages from the council’s Facebook page, helping to spread awareness of responsible dog ownership. Residents should challenge inappropriate behaviour only if they feel safe to do so, with public safety always coming first.

Contact: Sophie Hughes

 sophie.hughes@northdevon.gov.uk

Devon County Council has produced a leaflet for those who are recovering from flooding, attached.

Exmoor local housing need questionnaire

The survey is a collaboration between Somerset and North Devon Councils, as local housing authorities, and Exmoor National Park Authority. Somerset Council will be analysing the responses and, later next year, they will prepare a summary report with information on housing need for each Exmoor parish.

A letter with information about an online housing need questionnaire, has been sent to households in Exmoor National Park and Brushford parish. The letter includes a link and QR code to the survey which is designed to be simple and easy to complete. The information provided through the survey will be dealt with in strict confidence. It will be vital to those considering housing need and provision and will help inform the future Exmoor Local Plan review. The survey is aimed at those who might be finding accommodation in the local area unaffordable, whose home no longer meets their needs, or who wish to own their own home through a self/custom build project.

The letter to Exmoor residents also asks that the survey be shared with people who have moved away and want to return, local workers who live away and travel into the National Park to work or who live on Exmoor with family or others because of the cost of local housing. Anybody wishing to set up their own home, e.g. young people approaching adulthood, is encouraged to complete their own survey separately.

Parish surveys have been the starting point for almost 120 homes with a local need occupancy tie, achieved in Exmoor’s communities through conversions and new build and as self-build.

Additionally, local libraries (Dulverton, Lynton, Porlock and South Molton) have access to a computer and will have paper copies for those who are unable to complete an online survey. If requested, we can provide paper copies to parish /town councils for their parishioners who cannot complete an online survey or visit a local library.