Renewed Planning Application for Hartnoll Farm, Halberton.
25/01500/MOUT Phased outline for the extension of the existing business park for up to 3.9ha of employment land and up to 150 dwellings with associated infrastructure and access with other matters reserved.
Please see the Applications, Consultations and Responses Page for more detail about this proposed development.
Planning Application 25/00961/MFUL
Construction of a Clay Lined Slurry Store with a capacity of 5,023,547 gallons at Rhode Farm at Gogwell Lane off Newte’s Hill, Tiverton.
Rhode Farm is part of Bycott Farm Limited, the tenant of Rhode Farm being Stephen Dibble of Bycott Farm, Halberton.
Bycott Farm has 1,600 dairy cattle which, in total, produce an average of 35,195 gallons of slurry per day, and safe storage for at least five months before use on fields is essential. However, the farmer, without providing reasons, states that storage is not possible at that farm and that it therefore needs to be transported to Rhode Farm. No guarantees have been provided that this amount would not be increased.
This application is attracting growing concern, largely because, when the store is completed, transport by road of 246,365 gallons of slurry would take every week ( 12,810,980 gallons a year) from Bycott Farm to the proposed slurry store, twenty two way trips being undertaken on each of three days a week by five tractor drawn tankers. The most likely route from Halberton would be via Lower Town, Post Hill, Blundell’s Road, the A396 roundabout, Old Road, Canal Hill, Newte’s Hill, and Gogwell Lane. (Alternative routes/short cuts, such as Manley Lane, and even Tidcombe Lane would be possible).
Slurry is highly toxic, but it can be a valuable fertiliser when spread on fields.. However, there have been a growing number of objections, largely because of this movement through residential areas of Tiverton and up the very steep and often narrow Newte’s Hill. Other objections arise because of undesirable odours as well as potential overflows and leakages from the lagoon which could easily contaminate streams and groundwater, including wells and public water supplies. There have been many well-documented instances where these have occurred.
Further details about this application including reasons for, and processes for submitting objections are posted on the Applications, Consultations and Responses Page.
Archbishops of Canterbury – The Tiverton Connection.
Dame Sarah Mullaly, Bishop of London, who has been nominated as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, lived in The Avenue, Tiverton, when she was Bishop of Crediton from 2015-2018. She had to cancel her talk to this society at short notice when she was appointed Bishop of London in 2018.
Frederick Temple (1821-1902) , a somewhat controversial figure, who was educated at Blundell’s School, was Bishop of Exeter from 1869-1885, Bishop of London from 1885-1896, and Archbishop of Canterbury from 1896-1902. He last visited Blundell’s in the year of his death when he was present during the unveiling of the South African War Memorial window in the chapel.
Frederick Temple’s son, William, (1888-1944), was also Archbishop of Canterbury, from 1942-1944, but has no direct connection with Tiverton, having been born when his father was Bishop of Exeter.
A Tale of Woe in Tiverton during the reign of Elizabeth 1, 427 Years Ago
‘Yea let all the goodly Cities and Townes, which beautifies the Westerne plat of this florishing Iland, looke vpon their woefull Sister Teuerton, who lately did braue it wyth the best, and thought her selfe nothing inferior to the fayrest: But now she sittes clad in mournfull weeds, hauing her faire heade couered with pale ashes, her brauery conuerted to beggerie, her glory to disgrace, and all her mirth into moane: so that their is nothing seen but lamentation and complaint. Oh Teuerton well may thy friendes crie ouer thee (as sometime greate Kinges did ouer Babilon) saying, alas alas for that proper Towne of Teuerton, that wealthie and rich Towne, for at one hower is thy Iudgment come: thy Marchants may now weepe and morne, for no man buyeth ware in thee anye more’.
‘Alas how desolate sitteth this towne, that sometime was full of people? how is shee become lyke a widowe, sorow full, heauie, and comfortlesse, which lately was had in good regard, and famous among all her familiers: she weepeth sore in the night, & her teares run downe her cheeks in great abundance’.
A contemporary reflection on the devastating fire of Tiverton in 1598 from ‘The True Lamentable Discourse of the Burning of Tiverton’ Anon . For more details , please see the Bibliography and Resources Page.
A Welcome Change to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill
The government has changed its flagship planning bill to add better environmental protections in response to a campaign spearheaded by suspended MP Chris Hinchcliff.
The change means that new housing developments will now require a specific timeline for when measures to protect nature will be brought forward, including whether they need to be in place before the development starts.
In cases where rare species or habitats are involved, the changes also mean nature protection work can begin before a development is approved.
The government insist the changes they have put forward are different to the ones suggested by Hinchliff – but they’ve been accused of watering down the bill in response to pressure from MPs and campaigners.
Planning Newsletter June 3rd 2025.
The Government Chief Planning Officer’s latest Newsletter on Planning for Local Planning Authorities is now available: 4_Chief_Planners_Newsletter_June_2025
This includes a package of measures to ensure that the right incentives exist in the housing market, and local planning authorities have the tools they need, to encourage homes to be built out more quickly; and plans to ease burdens on smaller sites by streamlining planning rules and providing wider support for
small and medium-sized builders.
Book 4 of ‘A Tour Through the Whole Island of Great Britain‘ by Daniel Defoe, the author of Robinson Crusoe and Moll Flanders, was first published in June 1725, and this is his description of Tiverton, the original spelling and punctuation being retained:
‘Next to Excester, this is the greatest manufacturing town in the county, and, of all inland towns, is next to it in wealth, and in numbers of people; it stands on the river Ex, and has over it, a very fine bridge, and another over the little river Loman. Antiquity says, before those bridges were built, there were two fords here, one through each river, and that the town was from thence called Twyford-ton, that is the town upon the two fords, and so by abbreviating the sounds Twy-for-ton, then Tiverton, but I leave that to the learned searchers into ancient things.
But the beauty of Tiverton is the Free-School, a noble building, but a much nobler foundation; it was erected by one Peter Blundel, a clothier, and a lover of learning, who used the saying of William of Wickham to the king when he founded the royal school at Winchester viz. that if he was not himself a scholar, he would be the occasion of making more scholars, than any scholar in England; to which end he founded this school. He has endowed it with so liberal a maintenance, that, as I was informed, the school-master has, at least, sixty pounds per annum, besides a very good house to live in, and the advantage of scholars not on the foundation, and the usher in proportion.
As this is a manufacturing country, as above, we found the people here, all fully employed, and very few, if any, out of work, except such as need not be unemployed, but were so from mere sloth and idleness of which, some will be found everywhere.’
Planning News, Including the Launch of the Revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
- The Government Chief Planner’s Planning_update_newsletter_13_December_2024, which is sent to all Local Planning Authorities, includes details of the revised and updated NPPF, which became effective on that date. (All previous Planning Update Newsletters may be accessed online).
- Mid Devon District Council is making progress with a new local plan and intends to set
out a revised timetable no later than 6th March 2025.
New Affordable Homes at Braid Park, Tiverton Eastern Urban Extension, Area A.
Site preparation for 70 new ‘affordable’ homes at Braid Park, Tiverton began on December 4th. The original plan was for Passivhaus housing, but the new development, which is being built by Allison Homes South West on land sold to them and Live West, a housing association, ‘with full planning permission’, by Mid Devon District Council, and the houses will feature a high level of energy efficiency with a minimum energy performance rating of B-86.. It is planned that the first completed homes will be delivered as a mixture of shared ownership and social rent housing for local people, will be ready for occupation in late summer 2025.
Details of the original application 22/01255/MFUL, and the amendments 24/00733/NMA may be found at https://planning.middevon.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=RE8IEAKS05K00
Although we approve of this development we regret that no publicised opportunity was provided for comments on the amended and very different housing design.
Blue Plaque Unveiling for John Byrt
The unveiling of John Byrt’s blue plaque took place at 26, St Andrew Street on Saturday, 30th November where he lived for over 20 years. A large and appreciative group of John’s many friends and admirers gathered to witness the event, and all enjoyed the excellent refreshments. ‘The Oxen’ was performed twice, the second rendition being a marked improvement!
Ugly Buildings Create Loneliness
A report by the Centre for Social Justice (CSI), an influential ‘think tank’, which has been highlighted in The Times and other newspapers on November 11th and 12th, 2024, says that there is a clear link between poor building and a lack of community, leading to social isolation. and that it is vital that loneliness is addressed in any housebuilding programme because it is ‘a public health emergency’.
‘Development is not just an economic issue but involves the creation of happy, connected and stable communities. Architects and planners must avoid the mistakes of the past by prioritising beauty, design and green space in the built environment’. (Josh Nicholson, CSI).
Opening of the Repositioned Newte Library
The ancient and historical library at St Peter’s Church, now situated on a Mezzanine floor, was reopened on Sunday 29th September. An appreciable audience attended.
View from the Newte Library on September 29th.
New Shelving in the Newte Library
At last there is real hope that the flow of the leat through Tiverton will be resolved in the near future. Tiverton Town Council has repaired the sluice at Brickhouse Lane, a major step forward, a Charitable Trust has been established, which is registered with the Charities Commission, and fundraising is under way.
Civic Voice Consultation
Will the new government meet its ambitious housing targets? In a recent poll, 71% of civic societies selected “yes” when asked whether they agree that we have a housing crisis.So far, 146 civic groups, including Tiverton Civic Society, have participated in Civic Voice’s engagement on the proposed changes to the NPPF(National Planning Policy Framework), either through roundtable discussions, submitting evidence via email, or through an online survey. These contributions offer a wide range of insights and concerns from communities across the country.
Key Findings from the Poll:
Overwhelming scepticism: 72% of respondents believe that the planning reforms will not deliver the 1.5 million homes target by 2029. 23% were unsure, while only 5% believed the target could be achieved under the current reforms. Simply setting targets isn’t enough without ensuring quality and community-led planning.
Concerns about economic realities: 72% of respondents consistently pointed to a lack of alignment between the reforms and the economic realities, including rising construction costs, under-resourced planning departments, and a critical shortage of skilled workers.
Uneven impact across the country: 67% of respondents noted that a one-size-fits-all centralised planning approach is unrealistic, given the diverse housing needs and regional differences across the country. Members want to see more regionalised approaches and possible regional variations of the NPPF.
Affordable housing crisis: 70% of respondents believe that the reforms place too much reliance on market-driven solutions and called for a stronger focus on delivering social and genuinely affordable housing.
Infrastructure first: 81% of respondents emphasised the importance of ensuring that new developments are sustainable and supported by adequate infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and public transport.
Lack of resources and skilled workers: 78% of respondents highlighted that planning departments are under-resourced and the construction industry is suffering from a critical skills shortage, making it difficult to achieve the ambitious housing target.
Developer Profit Motives: 65% of respondents expressed concerns that large developers tend to delay building homes to maintain high prices, raising questions about their commitment to delivering on the Government’s targets. In many cases, developers are sitting on existing planning permissions, citing issues around “viability” and market conditions as reasons for delaying construction.
Support for Strategic Planning: There is support for a return to more formal strategic planning, with many believing it could help address broader challenges in aligning housing delivery with infrastructure and regional needs.
The poll highlights the need for a more nuanced approach to housing delivery, with greater attention to local needs, sustainability, and the infrastructure required to support communities. Civic Voice continues to engage with stakeholders across the sector, including the Home Builders Federation, to promote pragmatic and effective solutions to the housing crisis.
“We recognise the important role that civic societies play in promoting the interests of local communities and I would like to assure you that community involvement in place-making is at the heart of the planning system.” (Statement from the new Labour Government on August 4th, 2024)
Homelessness and Poverty
An extract from the Civic Voice Newsletter, published on July 26th 2024.
‘As part of a new series of #inconversation events, Civic Voice are pleased that one of the early events we will host in September(2024) will be with Jan Pahl, Professor Emeritus of Social Policy at the University of Kent discussing Poverty in Canterbury Today. Poverty is not a subject that civic societies typically engage with directly, so we asked Professor Emeritus Pahl why The Canterbury Society wanted to undertake this study. Her response highlighted Canterbury Society’s key charitable aim: “To engage in partnerships with the Canterbury City Council and other local bodies with the aim of enhancing the quality of life in the area of benefit.” She continued, “Many people in our area are dependent on food banks, going without to feed their children, feeling cold because they cannot afford heat, or sleeping on the floor because they cannot afford beds when they are rehoused. These are serious deprivations that significantly impact quality of life.”
It is clear from the conversations we are having with you that the Canterbury Society are not the only group in the civic movement thinking this. Jeremy Salter from Tiverton Civic Society, said to us this week, “In a low-income area such as Mid Devon, there are high levels of homelessness and affordability is a pressing problem. More social and affordable housing is urgently needed.” Peter Eversden from the London Forum of Civic Societies, said to us “There were 145,800 children in temporary accommodation in the UK as of the end of December 2023, up by a fifth on 20 years ago and up 15% on the same period in 2022. Homelessness leads to low educational achievement and low quality of life.” Additionally, Lorraine Woodburn from the North West said that ‘civic societies should be welcoming new homes, but advocating for those homes to be affordable for people and to help those who are homeless.”
We encourage you to read the Poverty in Canterbury Today which The Canterbury Society was a partner in delivering. You will see that they take a place-based approach to understanding poverty and the role that housing has in this. In the report, they support the council’s target of 308 new homes for social/affordable rent per year, and the priority for the construction of more housing at affordable rents. Read the report here and join us for the #inconversation on this in September’.
The report on Canterbury has many resonances for our own local area. In Tiverton, we are very lucky that Sustainable Tiverton are doing so much to alleviate many of the problems. Tiverton Civic Society will support Mid Devon District Council in their efforts to deliver appropriate housing for those most in need.
New Labour Government’s Planning Priorities (Civic Voice)
Rachel Reeves has highlighted that central to Labour’s economic strategy are:
- A commitment to deliver 1.5 million homes over five years,
- Reforming the national planning policy framework,
- Reinstating mandatory housing targets,
- Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner will lead efforts to review green belt boundaries in collaboration with local councils and planning authorities.
- The goal is to prioritise brownfield and “grey belt” land for sustainable housing development, while safeguarding the environmental integrity of green spaces.
Ian Harvey, Joint-Founder of Civic Voice, said: “At Civic Voice, we echo the sentiments of our members who overwhelmingly support the urgent need to build more homes. With 71% of our members in agreement, it is clear that substantial action is required to meet the ambitious target of 300,000 new homes annually. However, we recognise that achieving this goal cannot rely solely on commercial housebuilders driven by market forces. Addressing affordability through substantial investment in social housing is critical. Then there are the skills required, as well as the costs of materials which have risen sharply since Covid. Housebuilders will factor those into final costs. Ensuring that affordable housing is integrated into planning strategies is as crucial as investments in transportation or other critical infrastructure.”
Civic Voice Manifesto
Civic Voice, the parent organisation for Tiverton Civic Society and most other Civic Societies, has launched a new manifesto, Civic Manifesto 2024-2028.
‘We strive to create places where the historic environment is cherished, housing is available to all, and high streets are vibrant hubs of community activity. Taken together, these aims will boost pride in our places’
The full manifesto is available here:Civic Voice Manifesto 2024-2028
.Potential Design for a New Tiverton Community Arts Theatre and Forthcoming Productions
Jon Sowden’s Presentation on Tuesday, May 14th included the striking image below.
Tiverton Community Arts Theatre presented a play. performed by Miracle Theatre, on Saturday, June 29th, ‘Love Riot’, which is closely based on Hannah Cowley’s most famous play ‘The Belle’s Stratagem’. Hannah Cowley, a leading 18th century playwright and early pioneer of womens’ rights, was one of Tiverton’s most renowned citizens, and she is commemorated on one of the Blue Plaques erected by Tiverton Civic Society, which is in Bridge Street.
The excellent summary of her life and work in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography was written by Mary de la Mahotiere, for many years a leading member of this Society.
Mary also wrote a full biography of Hannah: Hannah Cowley: ‘Tiverton’s Playwright and Pioneer Feminist (1743-1809)’, published by Devon Books.
Was Hannah Cowley Tiverton’s First Nimby?
Her second long poem, The Scottish Village, or, Pitcairn Green (1786), demonstrates her love of unspoiled nature. Heart-broken to learn that planners had chosen a lovely green-field site at Pitcairn Green in Scotland for an extensive ‘New Town’, she imagined what such development might do to her beloved Devon countryside.
The verdant face of this once happy plain
The sharp-tooth’d mattock shall deform, tear …
The future Town, submissive to their will
Rises from Earth and spreads its skirts around …’
( She has had plenty of successors!)
Extract from ODNB by Mary de la Mahotiere
‘Create Streets – The Road to Nowhere’.
A radical new report developed by ‘Create Streets’ and Sustrans, was much in the news during March. This proposes a way to build more homes on less land with more consent. It calls for a shift from the sprawling, road-dependent model of ‘housebuilding’ to ‘townbuilding’: new extensions to existing settlements, with less urban sprawl across valuable agricultural land.
Xavier Brice, CEO, Sustrans
‘Too many new developments over the last 80 years have been ugly and faceless, could-be-anywhere muddles of roundabouts, lumps and sprawl. We need a better way .
We need to stop creating big-road places, sprawling wastefully and carelessly across the countryside. Drive-to cul-de-sacs are bad for our health, they are bad for the environment and they are bad for our landscape which they so thoughtlessly despoil. This important report shows there is another way. It’s no surprise that it’s been uniquely widely welcomed from the CPRE to prominent members of the YIMBY movement. What other report can say that?’ https://www.createstreets.com/projects/stepping-off-the-road-to-nowhere/
New Link Road from the Tiverton Eastern Urban Extension to the A361.
We welcome the opening of this new road, full details being available at https://www.devon.gov.uk/news/new-junction-off-the-a361-tiverton-is-opened/
However, its benefits are exaggerated, as there is no access to the Eastern Urban Extension from Tiverton, the Exe Valley and the West, all traffic still having to use the Horsdon Roundabout and Blundell’s Road.
At the MDDC Planning Committee Meeting on 29th March 2017 Jenny Clifford, the Head of Planning, stated that the housing etc in the TEUE was undeliverable unless the phasing in the Masterplan was changed, and the committee granted her request that, in addition to the Outline Permission granted for 330 dwellings off Uplowman Road (Braid Park) in Area A, ‘up to 700 dwellings, 22,000 square metres employment floor space, primary school, care home and neighbourhood centre and the proposed means of access to service the application site‘ could be built before the second phase of the A361 Junction was delivered ie a total of 1,030 dwellings plus employment land etc rather than the total of 600 houses or employment land specified in the TEUE Masterplan. Once this number of houses and the employment land has been completed, no further development may therefore be built until the full A361 junction is in full use, and, unless this occurs, Area B cannot be completely developed. It is surely very unlikely that a further, third, change to the phasing in the TEUE Masterplan will be acceptable, in particular because of the resultant congestion and increased pollution in Blundell’s Road if this was changed again.
Gotham House Under New Ownership
Staircase and Entrance Hall Chandelier, Gotham House
It is excellent news that, after, being empty for the past three years, Gotham House has been purchased by Devonshire Homes, who have moved from their present Headquarters near Tesco’s. The new owners are proud to be the custodians of such a fine Grade 2* building.
Devonshire Homes hosted a small group of Tiverton Civic Society members at Gotham House on August 10th 2024, leading an exhaustive tour of the building, and outlining in detail their plans.
Full listing details for this fine building may be accessed on the Listed Buildings and Scheduled Ancient Monuments Page of this website.
A Listed Building Planning Consent Application , 23/01335/LBC, was submitted in late November 2023. The main points are summarized in the 23_01335_LBC-Design_and_Access__Heritage_Statement-1979065 Design and Access Heritage Statement & Tiverton Civic Society are gratified that the proposed changes, while would enhance this important building, would have a negligible impact on its heritage status
The Former Police Station (‘Beechwood’) in The Avenue. (See details of the original application lower on this page).
It is excellent news that a new application, 23/00152/MFUL, has been submitted for this site, which would, if successful, save this imposing building which has a fine facade, and remove unsightly modern additions, including the cell block, Six attractive new houses would also be built on the site. It is hoped that objections, especially by the MDDC Arboricultural Officer, and the DCC Flood and Coastal Management Team, can be satisfactorily resolved. Please see full details.
The application was finally given full planning permission, subject to conditions, in June 2024. The decision notice can be read below:
23_00152_MFUL-Decision_Notice-2037913.pdf Old Police Station in The Avenue
Sketch of the Old Police Station by Jo Mortimer.
Historic Lime Tree Avenue Restored!
Please see the Archives Page.
Natural England’s Nature Recovery Programme.
Please click on the link for more details of Natural England’s important Nature Recovery Programme. part of the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan.The former includes several videos introduced by Tony Juniper, Chairman of Natural England. Please also see the message from the Devon Wildlife Trust,which includes a very relevant link to a statement by Harry Barton, the former Chief Executive.
Tiverton, and Mid Devon already has one fine protected natural wildlife corridor which joins many distinct habitats in the Grand Western Canal. Could this be joined by another, the Lowman Valley?
Government Housing Targets
Michael Gove, the former Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, stated that new developments should have the consent of local communities, that they should be ‘more beautiful‘, be accompanied by the right infrastructure, and should protect the environment. He promised to use ‘all the government’s powers’ to ensure that unattractive developments are refused planning permission..
“We will use all the powers we have in order to make sure that developments which are not aesthetically of high quality don’t go ahead.”
It is important that the Labour Government should also prioritise high quality developments!
New Homes Built by David Wilson Homes at Braid Park, Some of these, like the house shown, use ‘local’ sandstone, Permian Sandstone being the underlying Geology for Tiverton, and the most commonly used building stone.for many past, as well as more recent, buildings. Although these houses are attractive, and there is evidence of good-quality design, inclusion of local vernacular building features is minimal. (December, 2022)
Please see ‘The Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill’ below.
30.10.22
People’s Plan For Nature
JOIN THE UK’S BIGGEST CONVERSATION ABOUT THE FUTURE OF NATURE AND MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD.
Nature is vital – it provides the food we eat, the air we breathe and the water we drink. Nature is being pushed to the brink, and we’re now living in one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world.
The People’s Plan for Nature will see people from all walks of life sharing ideas for how we can protect and restore nature in the UK and make it something to be truly proud of.
The nature crisis affects everyone, and we believe everyone should have a say in how we solve it.
The People’s Plan for Nature is powered by the WWF, the RSPB and National Trust.
It is a unique collaboration with the UK public to protect and restore nature in the UK.
Sustainable Tiverton Mural
The Net Zero Visions project is funded by AHRC and supported by ERDF Low Carbon Devon, is led by the University of Plymouth in collaboration with Devon Climate Emergency and communities across Devon.
Following these and other ideas and our own resilience we can all enjoy a sustainable and enjoyable future!
The August 2022 heatwave and drought is a stark reminder of the accelerating problems, including extremes of temperature and precipitation, wildfires and floods, exacerbated by climate change in recent decades. If individuals, communities and countries act together, we can be assured of a positive future, but time is getting short and our window of opportunity is a very small one!
The River Exe in Flood, November 1960
The River Exe in Tiverton, August 2022
Devon Climate Emergency Newsletters.
Current and past Newsletters for this important group can be accessed at:
:https://devonclimateemergency.org.uk/category/newsletters/
Lung Toll and Air Pollution (Please see the Side Bar and the Archives Page).
A summary of the report by Asthma + Lung UK, which highlights the problems encountered by the over 65s, can be read at:
This Society have often campaigned on this issue, BUT are we doing enough in Tiverton and Mid Devon to mitigate this often devastating problem? A new Mid Devon District Council Draft Air Quality Action Plan was published in November 2021, and was be discussed by the MDDC Cabinet in April : https://www.middevon.gov.uk/media/353399/aqap-final-action-plan-nov2021.pdf.
Gotham House
As Peter Maunder says:
Civic Societies and the Planning Process
Dr Christopher Maidment and Professor Angelique Chettiparamb from the Department of Real Estate and Planning, Henley Business Centre, University of Reading, have produced a report, ‘Civic Societies and the Planning Process’, exploring the role of local civic societies in the English planning system. This was completed after completed questionnaires were submitted by many Civic Societies. The full report can be read here. Both the authors have recently engaged with Tiverton Civic Society on planning issues.
Civic-Societies-the-Planning-Process-Final-Report-8th-February-2022.
The Fly Tipping Epidemic
. Fly-Tipping Near Knightshayes, April 2021
The fly-tipping ‘epidemic’ has become far worse during the pandemic, and it can create an unattractive and unhealthy problem in our rural environment. Particularly bad areas for fly-tipping include the embankments of the A361, for instance near Crazelowman. To report the problem in Mid Devon, please see: https://www.middevon.gov.uk/residents/environment/street-care/fly-tipping/
Also, please see The Guardian; and CPRE’s campaign report on this issue.
Pollution in Towns and Cities
The latest research by the charity ‘Centre for Cities’ suggests that 1 in 16 deaths in the south of England is directly linked to pollution and urges the government to bring in much stricter guidelines. This has been widely reported in the media recently, including The Independent,
In Tiverton and Mid Devon air pollution is carefully monitored, particular roads which are a potential concern in Tiverton being Leat Street and Blundell’s Road between Tidcombe Lane and the Horsdon Roundabout, although national pollution limits are not exceeded at either location. It is essential that further major development, which would feed more traffic along these roads, should not proceed until alternative routes are opened, and that the Eastern Urban Extension should not proceed further until the link between Blundell’s Road and the full junction with the A361 North Devon Link Road is completed. Also, please refer to the Archives Page.
‘Anyone can enter a postcode and house number at addresspollution.org and get a report on levels of three pollutants: fine particles known as PM2.5, larger particles called PM10, and NO2, a gas that in urban areas is emitted largely by diesel vehicles. The website gives each property one of five pollution ratings from low — meaning all three pollutants are at least 80 per cent below WHO limits — to very high for those where all exceed it and one is at least 20 per cent above the limit’. (The Times 17.3.21)
Trail Tale app
The TrailTale app entry for Tiverton has been developed in collaboration with this society. It is based upon The Merchants’ Trail and includes photographs and other information we have provided. Full details of the app, which can be downloaded onto Smart Phones free of charge, can be found at: http://www.trailtale.co.uk/
Details for Tiverton, and many other towns (but few in the South West) can be found under ‘Guided Walks.The history of many of our finest buildings is outlined and illustrated.
The Newte Library at St Peter’s Church
The Newte library will remain at St Peter’s Church for the foreseeable future. As part of the St Peter’s Reordering, it is being housed in the same location on a mezzanine floor.
The Library was founded from part of the private library of Rev. John Newte, rector of the Tidcombe and Pitt portions of Tiverton on his death in 1716. He had inherited the library of his father, Richard, in 1678. The books bequeathed are consistent with what would be expected of an Anglican clergyman of the later 17C and early 18C. There are also some later books and a 15th century ‘Book of Hours’.
A survey, published in 1959, and research carried out since then shows that the Newte Library is one of only 4 of the 13 parish libraries known to have been founded in Devon before 1800 for which the bulk of the collection still survives. Of these it is the only parish library to be housed in the original parochial church, and it is not only an important survival, but also a key part of Tiverton’s history which must be preserved intact.
Anna-Lujz Gilbert, a PhD student working in the field of early modern book history, who has written a paper on the Library, and Emma Down, a professional archivist,
are at present both working on cataloguing the Newte Library and carrying out a condition report.
Podcast on TCR Radio
There is a 27 minute podcast on Tiverton Community Radio in which the excellently prepared Caro Bushnell talks to the TCS Chairman about the society’s 50th anniversary and Tiverton’s heritage.
Caro Bushnell also talked to the TCS Chairman about the Town Leat on June 14th, and this can be listened to online.
Tiverton Town Leat.
Exeleigh House
Many people have expressed concern about Exeleigh House, very significant because of its links with John Heathcoat, because it is a fine building and because it is in the Tiverton Conservation Area. Jo Mortimer has, at our request, produced this excellent, but depressing, picture of the front of the house in its recent condition. She has also kindly presented the original picture to the Society. The picture, entitled ‘Agent of Change’, reached the long list for the John Ruskin Prize, 2019. The jury said:
“On this occasion your work has not been shortlisted. However, your submitted work did reach the penultimate stages of the judging process, reaching the long list of just 150 artists. Given the strength of this years applicants you should be encouraged by this news.”
For further information please see further information on the Listed Buildings and Scheduled Ancient Monuments Page.
The condition of this listed house was one of the reasons for Historic England’s classification of the Tiverton Conservation Area as ‘Heritage at Risk’, ‘Very Bad’ and ‘Deteriorating’.
The good news is that work is now in progress to restore the exterior of the house.
‘Tiverton Conservation Area was 8th in Civic Voice’s Competition to find England’s Favourite Conservation Area!
Civic Voice asked their members to nominate their choice as their Favourite Conservation Area in England and, out of the 249 nominations, Tiverton Conservation Area was included in a shortlist of 18, the nomination being made by this society. The first conservation area was established at Stamford fifty years ago, there are now more than 10,000. (However, many, including Civic Voice, are concerned about their future).
Following a nationwide vote the result was declared on October 20th 2018. The final vote placed Swindon GWR Railway Village Conservation Area first. The Tiverton Conservation Area did very well to achieve 8th place, and together with the 2017 nomination of this as one of six ‘Amazing Conservation Areas’ in England, confirms that the town has one of the finest of this country’s conservation areas. However, it is classified as ‘Heritage at Risk’, ‘Very Bad’ and ‘Deteriorating’ by Historic England, and everyone needs to do more to enhance it!
Joan Humble, Chair of Civic Voice said: “When we decided to launch England’s Favourite Conservation Area, we wanted to use it to test the enthusiasm people have for the place where they live. To get people talking about why conservation areas matter. What it has turned out to be is something truly amazing. It has surpassed all our expectations at Civic Voice. We received 249 entries from across the country and from announcing the shortlist to announcing the winner, we received just under 16,000 votes in 14 days. People do care about where they live. I look forward to visiting each of the winners at some point soon with Civic Voice.”
General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).
All organisations were required to comply with the new GDPR regulations by May 25th 2018, and we have made every effort to do so. We have written a new Privacy Statement which can be read here: Tiverton Civic Society Privacy Statement
We have also contacted all members to request their permission to continue to use the contact details they have provided, including postal and e mail addresses as well as telephone numbers.
Conservation Areas
Historic England have mounted a campaign to celebrate 50 years of Conservation Areas in England. They have highlighted six examples of ‘amazing conservation areas’, including the Tiverton Conservation Area, after a submission by this Society! Nevertheless this area remains classified as ‘Heritage at Risk’.
See the latest Historic England findings about ‘Heritage at Risk’.
Historic Lime-Tree Avenue Saved – see the archives Page
‘Samuel Taylor Coleridge and the Beauth of Tiverton’ – see the Archives Page.
Canonsleigh Abbey – see the Archives Page.
Launch of ‘Tiverton Cloth’ by Pater Maunder -see the Archives Page.
The Fountain in the People’s Park – see the Archives Page.
Local Plan Review Examination – see the Archives Page.
Links Provided by Tristan Peat (MDDC) following his presentation on October 30th 2018 – see the Archives Page.
Tiverton Floods in 1960 – see the Archives Page.
Unveiling of Plaque to Private Thomas Sage VC on October 4th 2017 – see the Archives Page.
Planning Committee on 29th March 2017 – see the Archives Page
Pictures accompanying the article on John Heathcoat in the November 2016 Newsletter – see the Archives Page
Oil Paintings in Tiverton Town Hall – see the Archives Page
Flood Risk – see the Archives Page.
Diesel Emissions – see the Archives Page.
J.D.Salinger in Tiverton – see the Archives Page
Tiverton Floods in 1960 – see the Archives Page.
Tiverton Civic Society 