environment

New homes in the East Devon town of Cranbrook

Devon is building a third more houses than it has to according to government figures, says countryside charity

Devon’s Local Planning Authorities - with the exception of Torbay - have over-delivered on housing for the last five years, according to the government’s own figures.

Devon CPRE’s analysis of the 2020 Housing Delivery Test shows the county as a whole has delivered 30% more new homes than it was required to over a five-year period, in effect building 6,332 more houses than it had to....

Plaque for last year's winner of Devon's Best Churchyard

The search begins for Devon's Best Churchyard of 2021

During the pandemic, Devon’s residents have appreciated the green spaces around their churches like never before and now Devon CPRE is inviting churches of all denominations to enter this year’s competition to find the ‘Best Churchyard’ in the whole of the county.

Following a year with little to celebrate, Devon CPRE applauds the volunteers helping to maintain and ‘green up’ Devon’s...

Planning workshop for town and parish councils

Do you sit on a town or parish council in Devon? If so, you need to know how to respond to planning proposals affecting your community. Your response, as consultees in the planning process, can significantly influence the outcome and make a real difference to what the local planning authority decides. CPRE Devon invites you to a special ‘planning workshop’ for Devon’s town and parish councils. Experienced, independent Planning Consultant, Jo Widdecombe, will guide you through the process and explain what’s important. Free admission for member organisations (up to 3 people free per member...

Surfing Cow ice cream scoops in on education

A South Devon ice cream company is putting education at its heart by offering children and students the opportunity to learn about farming and the environment.

Surfing Cow Ice Cream was established last year at South Battisborough Farm in south Devon close to Mothecombe Beach by dairy farmer Lawrence Glanville and his business partner Alistair Graham. It has quickly established itself...

Competitions call on Devon's schoolchildren to capture the countryside in pictures and words

The Devon branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England has launched its 2019 art and writing competitions for primary schoolchildren - calling on them to use their creativity to capture Devon's coast and countryside.

CPRE Devon's two children's competitions are a fun way to encourage outdoor learning and help youngsters engage with and enjoy the great outdoors. There...

CPRE Devon launches Devon’s Best Churchyard competition 2019

The Devon branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England is seeking Devon’s Best Churchyard of 2019 and is inviting churches of all denominations to enter the competition, now in its 2nd year.

Devon’s churchyards form part of the county’s rich and varied landscape. They are much more than burial grounds. They are unique and special places. Green havens of sanctuary for people and...

New homes planned for South West Devon to come under the spotlight at CPRE Devon seminar

Countryside campaigners CPRE Devon are hosting a seminar in Tavistock next month amid growing concerns in the area about the scale of current and future housing development, and whether these plans provide the number and kind of homes that are really needed.

The Devon branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England is holding the event called “Is the scale of housing development right for South West Devon?” at the Bedford Hotel in Tavistock on Friday 8th February 2019 from 10am-1pm.

The seminar comes hot on the heels of a similar event in Tiverton last autumn at which CPRE...

Activa Contracts launches new initiative recognising safest drivers

In an effort to ensure safer drivers in their clients’ fleets are properly rewarded and commended, Activa Contracts is sponsoring a new initiative with its risk management partner, Lightfoot.

The ‘Activa Contracts Lightfoot Drivers’ League’ rewards one driver each week from the many fleets using both Activa contracted company cars and vans and Lightfoot’s driver behaviour technology...

Living Coasts’ global plastics pledge

Torquay’s Living Coasts is part of a new global movement to raise awareness about plastic pollution. The coalition goes under the banner of "World aquariums #ReadyToChange to #BeatPlasticPollution". The aim is to set a good example over the use of plastics and to encourage changes in behaviour. Living Coasts was the first aquarium in the UK to sign up and is one of seven in this...

Devon’s real housing needs revealed in major new independent report

Too many homes are being planned for Devon over the next decade, most of them are to be built on greenfield sites, and a staggering two-thirds will be bought by people who have moved into the county. These are the key findings of an independent study, commissioned by the Devon branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, which exposes the stark truth behind ‘official’ assessments of Devon’...

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