Parish Council News Sept 2026
• Lamb Park Outline Planning Application. As you may recall the application for a new housing development at Lamb Park was turned down back in May, principally on the grounds of the reduced rate of affordable homes that it offered. The applicant lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate and a decision is due in October.
The rate set for affordable housing in developments in the National Park is 45%. However, the applicant had reduced this to 28% on the grounds of financial viability. The Parish Council has questioned this and pointed out that the need for affordable housing for local people in Chagford never seems to be met despite the building of lots of new housing. We made it clear that we do not consider this to be acceptable.
• EV Chargers now Solar Powered! Following the granting of planning permission, solar panels have been installed on the business units to power the EV chargers in the new car park. Our thanks to Chagford Community Trust for letting us use their roof space.
• Phone Box. This has now been repainted and once the listed building consent is granted we will install a defibrillator.
• Padley Common. With the help of the Chagford Conservation Group, work parties continue the widening of paths, pulling up of young saplings from the boggy areas and doing all they can to protect the rich habitats down there for the benefit of the rare butterflies, the adders and all the precious, and some rare, bog and moorland flora and fauna. Everyone is welcome. The next working day is 4th October from 10.30 to 1.30.
• School Drop Off and Pick Up. We have been made aware of problems with the new bus parking space in front of the school. This space was introduced so that visiting coaches to Chagford would have somewhere to park overnight, which can be quite a problem. Unfortunately, the coaches are often still there during school drop off time, and this is causing congestion and road safety concerns. We have discussed this with Highways and they have made suggestions as to solutions and asked us to convene a meeting with all interested parties, which we will do forthwith.
• Line Marking. Highways have nearly finished repainting the road markings and the restricted parking bays and upgrading the associated signage. They have had to work their way around parked cars and other obstructions so it has taken some time to complete. Once all is complete, however, they plan to make more visits than usual to remind us all of the parking restrictions!
• New Car Park. We have been having all sorts of issues with the car parks. In the summer a water leak appeared across the entrance to the new car park, which no one could explain. It was only when two further wet patches appeared in the middle of the car park and a councillor went on the hunt that we were finally able to point South West Water to an old, abandoned mains under the line of trees along Bretteville Close.
The new car park is still underused but Highways have improved the signage, and WDBC have increased their charges for Long Stays in the top car park so the new car park is now cheaper for stays of 4hrs or more. While assessing the results we will be looking at further ways to encourage its use. A reminder, Bellacouch car park is free until 10am every morning for school drop offs and early shopping, and on Sundays it is free until 1pm.
• Top Car Park. Sadly, the tickets machines in the top car park have been repeatedly seriously damaged recently, inconveniencing many, and costing West Devon Borough Council a great deal of money in repairs.
The delayed re-surfacing of the top car park is now scheduled for October. West Devon Borough Council have told us the following:-
“Due to the medical centre being within the remit of the car park, the resurfacing works will take place overnight to minimise disruption to the medical practice and ensure that parking is available within the day etc. The proposed works will take place from 6.30pm with any works generating significant noise being completed by 11pm and works to complete each night by 2am. We will therefore be advising customers that the car park will be closed between 6pm and 8am for the
period of the works. There will be a loss of 5 spaces within this car park which was expected as the car parking spaces fell extremely short of the industry parking space standard size.”
The proposed works are as follows:
• 16th October – vegetation clearance
• 16th-20th October – road space works
• 19th-22nd October - surfacing and lining works
• Heat Pump Talk. Tamar Energy Community and Dartmoor Energy gave a hugely informative talk on the subject of the installation and usage of Heat Pumps. If anyone would like more information on this subject or on other aspects of energy saving, insulation, damp control, etc. www.tamarenergycommunity.com/request-support/
• Road Wardens. Our two road wardens have been carrying out sterling work filling in potholes around town. You may have noticed, for instance, that the extreme bumpiness outside the school has been much improved of late, thanks to them. If there are any potholes or other road issues that you would like to report, please do so directly to highways at https://www.devon.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/report-a-problem/.
• Bellacouch Meadows Leat. We are looking in more detailed ways to stabilise the eroding banks of the leat beside the new car park, while trying to keep the cost in check. You will have noticed, meanwhile, that Highways have just reopened their footpath, having carried out a pretty thorough repair job on the hollowed-out ground below.
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)