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Volunteering
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District Council Agrees Ambitious Woodland Deal
| Tel: 01803 861368 | Email: communications@swdevon.gov.uk |
District Council Agrees Ambitious Woodland Deal
Issued: 6 August 2024
An exciting and ambitious woodland deal for a new 65-acre community woodland has been agreed and is going to be created in South Brent.
With the support of the Government’s Trees for Climate Land Acquisition Fund, South Hams District Council has been able to buy the site. This is part of the District Council’s priority to tackle climate change and increase biodiversity by 20% over four years.
Tree planting will start later this year with a community planting event.
Leader of South Hams District Council, Cllr Julian Brazil, says: “We are so thrilled and excited about this project. As an ambitious administration this is all about what we are trying to achieve. It emphasises our priority around the climate change and biodiversity agenda, but it does so much more. We will be working with local schools, social prescribers, and other local community groups. It will leave a lasting legacy for the South Hams.
“We hope to plant around 25,000 trees on this site. It is the start of us planting a tree for every resident of the South Hams. Thank you so much to all those involved. My fellow councillor John McKay, as executive lead, and local councillors Guy Pannell and David Hancock have all helped to get us this far. We all want to make a difference.”
As part of the woodland, the fields will continue to be a productive landscape, with parts of the site still being grazed. As part of the varied community proposals, an orchard and a market garden will be created in partnership with local group, Sustainable South Brent to deliver the project for their local area.
They are passionate about the project and will use some of the woodland for education and community food production.
The Vice-Chair of Sustainable South Brent (SSB), Hayden Gabriel, says: “This new woodland can deliver so much for the community of South Brent and aligns precisely with SSB’s vision of creating a resilient, low-carbon community where all life thrives. Varied habitat creation and nature recovery in this zone of woodland, increased local food production and a natural educational resource are just some of the many advantages on offer.
“The opportunities are huge and we are excited to work with the District Council and the Community Forest to maximise the potential of the site for the community. Sustainable South Brent trustees and volunteers are keen to get behind this project. Now news of the woodland has been made public, we will be inviting local groups and schools to help shape and deliver this uplifting endeavour.”
Director of the Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest, Kathryn Deeney, says: “The Community Forest has successfully been supporting a varied programme of new planting within the Plymouth, South Devon and Dartmoor area over the last couple of years. This marks the first land purchase through the Community Forest, and is an exciting milestone, reflecting the strong partnership built up locally, and was a proposal we could confidently champion and support.”
Over the coming months South Hams District Council will engage with local residents over proposals for the site and consider detailed design and planting with the community, partners and stakeholders. The planting will be supported through a partnership with the Woodland Trust and their MoreWoods scheme.
The planting will be supported through a partnership with the Woodland Trust and their MOREwoods scheme, which is funded by Lloyds Bank.
Outreach Manager for the Woodland Trust, Eleanor Lewis, says: “This is an excellent opportunity for a new woodland serving the South Hams. MOREWoods is an established scheme that provides expert advice, funding and trees to landowners who want to create a woodland.”
“With careful planning this site can deliver huge benefits for people, wildlife and climate, as well as incorporating local aspirations for continued local food production on part of the land. We look forward to working collaboratively to design a woodland that can deliver multiple benefits with the local community at its heart.”
The next step is to share proposals with the local South Brent community at a drop-in event. This will be held on Wednesday 14 August in the Aune Room, Old School Community Centre in South Brent from 3 to 8 p.m.
Welcome To Our August Newsletter!
| Action on climate change in Devon and dates for the diary |
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There are many actions already taking place across Devon that are successfully reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing resilience and implementing the 
Local Community Energy groups in Devon are offering free Retrofit Advice home visits until the end of March 2025. You can arrange for one of their qualified Retrofit Advisors to visit your home and advise you on how to make your home healthier to live in and cheaper to run.
North Devon Council has revoked the Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) for Braunton, marking a key milestone in the district’s efforts to enhance air quality. Braunton has seen consistent air quality improvements over the past five years, driven by reduced transport emissions largely due to vehicle technology and increases in electric and hybrid vehicles.
Devon County Council commenced work on a new contraflow bus lane in Exeter city centre on Monday, 24 June. The project will require some night-time road closures, and once completed, it will improve bus journey times in the city.
Torridge District Council has been consulting the public on plans to establish a community woodland at the Gatefield Amenity Grassland in Bideford. In person consultation events have been held, as well as an option to input online.
Find out about upcoming events, funding and opportunities across Devon below.
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New ‘Raccoon’ mower helps manage rewilding project
| Tel: 01803 861368 | Email: communications@swdevon.gov.uk |
New ‘Raccoon’ mower helps manage rewilding project
Issued: 29 July 2024
A brand-new specialist ‘Raccoon’ mower is helping South Hams District Council to manage public areas that are part of its rewilding project.
As one of its corporate priorities, the District Council wants to increase biodiversity in the South Hams by 20% over four years.
This year, rewilding areas of long grass and flowers continues to create essential food and habitat for pollinators, insects, birds and mammals.
As the outskirts of the Council’s public areas grow to allow wildlife to thrive, the mower helps managing the growth, so it doesn’t get out of control. It makes it easier to access less accessible areas with thicker grass and meadow due to its adaptability and low centre of gravity.
Cllr John McKay, South Hams District Council’s Executive Member for Climate and Biodiversity said: “The Raccoon mower is a new addition to our equipment to help us manage our rewilding areas, which will help us deliver our pledge to increase biodiversity across the District. Of course, cutting is completed outside of breeding seasons to avoid harm to the wildlife we are working hard to protect.
“I’d like to reassure our residents that we continue to regularly cut other public spaces used for ball games, picnicking and dog walking. Careful consideration is given to which areas we cut and which ones we leave to grow to help our wildlife.”
“It’s great to see our rewilding project making progress, with a whole range of wildflowers naturally springing up at some of our sites.”
Although wildflowers such as ox-eye daisy, yarrow, and cuckoo flower are appearing naturally in some places, there are other sites that aren’t showing signs of flowering yet. It can take several years for the wildflowers to stand a chance against more vigorous grasses, particularly where a site has been managed as short grass for a long time.
To give wildflowers a better chance of growing, cuttings from public areas are collected to reduce the amount of nutrients going back into the soil, which can inhibit growth. The Council is also planning to give nature an extra helping hand by creating more new wildflower areas.
For more information, visit South Hams District Council’s website at: www.southhams.gov.uk/leisure-and-outdoor-spaces/enhancing-biodiversity-council-land
Former Chairman raises thousands for RNLI
| Tel: 01803 861368 | Email: communications@swdevon.gov.uk |
Former Chairman raises thousands for RNLI
Issued: 25 July 2024
South Hams District Council’s Cllr Guy Pannell has raised £2,000 for the Dart RNLI Lifeboat Station Appeal.
During his year as chair of the Council, Cllr Pannell supported the organisation as his chairman’s charity. Having now tallied his final fundraising total, he presented a cheque to Commodore Jake Moores OBE DL Royal Navy, chairman of the Dart RNLI Appeal today (25 July).
Cllr Pannell, current vice chair of the Council, said: “Living near the coast, and from a family with many links with the sea, I am acutely aware of the need for safety on the water and along our wonderful South Devon coastline.
“The RNLI not only provides a rescue service for mariners on all types of vessels but also patrols our most popular South Hams beaches to keep holidaymakers and swimmers safe. I am delighted to have been able to support the Dart Lifeboat Station Appeal during my recent year of office and truly grateful to all those who have donated so generously to this charity.
“It is really appropriate to present this cheque on World Drowning Prevention Day and the Dartmouth RNLI Flag Day.”
Commodore Jake Moores OBE DL Royal Navy, Dart RNLI Appeal chairman, said: “It is a great pleasure to receive this cheque from Guy, which will go towards our new lifeboat station on the River Dart and allow us to save lives at sea for years to come. On behalf of Dart RNLI, many thanks go to all who supported Guy’s efforts.”
Dart RNLI is one of the busiest lifeboat stations in Devon, on call to emergencies in the Dart Estuary all the way up to Totnes and out to sea. The current Dart RNLI station is a temporary building at the end of its lease. To continue saving lives, the charity needs to raise the £1.2m cost of their new lifesaving home at Ferry View House.
To find out more about the appeal and how you can donate, visit the RNLI Dart Appeal website.
Community jamming at Kingsbridge skatepark
| Tel: 01803 861368 | Email: communications@swdevon.gov.uk |
Community jamming at Kingsbridge skatepark
Issued: 11 July 2024
Celebrations for Kingsbridge’s first community Skate Jam went off with a flying start at the opening of its new skatepark on Saturday 6 July.
Organised by Kingsbridge Skatepark Group, the skatepark is a prime example of how South Hams District Council is supporting community and volunteer groups.
The fantastic, jam-packed event featured skate, scooter, blade and BMX competitions for all skill levels, along with live music, food and a bar.
Adam Sherring, Kingsbridge Skatepark Community Group, said: “Saturday’s Skate Jam is another testament to how badly these sort of facilities are required in the South Hams. You can probably feel the positivity flowing through Kingsbridge right now - it’s beginning to feel like a community for the majority, not the minority. Today we see a broad spectrum of ages celebrating what the town has to offer and we couldn't be more stoked about it!
“I must thank all those involved - my committee work tirelessly and rarely get the credit they deserve. The local businesses, bands and DJs who have supported us for little to no money coming their way. Finally, and most importantly, the community in which we live in. Without their support it just doesn't get done. [Today] is for them!”
Cllr Victor Abbott, South Hams District Council’s Executive Member for Community Services and Leisure, said: “One of our priorities is to work with our communities and support them to deliver projects and schemes that will enhance the area for us all. This is a great example of us all coming together and making a difference to the Kingsbridge community. Skateparks like this provide the opportunity to have fun, keep healthy and enjoy being outdoors too.
“Thanks to Kingsbridge Skatepark Group for putting on such a great event for the community.”
Built at the end of 2023, the skatepark was achieved due to the collaboration between Kingsbridge Skatepark Community Group, South Hams District Council, Kingsbridge Town Council, Sport England and the incredible support of Kingsbridge residents. Working closely together, the funders all had a common goal; to provide a community skatepark for Kingsbridge.
Cllr Julia Wingate, Kingsbridge Town Council, said: “The first Kingsbridge skate Jam has just been amazing, so many competitors from as young as four years old! And so much community support with volunteers helping out, bands play for free, stages built for goodwill, we could not have asked for more.
“The skate community of Kingsbridge are really taking care and ownership of the new facility, keeping it clean and tidy, swept of leaves and tree debris so they can skate to their hearts content. The park is in constant use from early dawn to dusk with an amazing wide range of ages and abilities all getting along, it’s great to see.”
Kingsbridge Skatepark has been funded by:
- £10K Places and Spaces plus extra funding from Sport England.
- £55,000 from South Hams District Council, including £25,000 of Section 106 Developers’ Funding.
- £50,000 from Kingsbridge Town Council.
- £39,000 raised through a local community Crowdfunder scheme.
- £5,000 from the Gibbons Trust.
- £5,000 from the Norman Family Trust.
Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director Place, Sport England, said: “Through a successful Crowdfunder campaign that raised almost £39,000 from a community of over 280 supporters, Sport England have provided £10,000 of ‘Places and Spaces +Extra Funding’ towards the Kingsbridge Skatepark project.
“We are delighted that the Skatepark is complete and fully open. A vibrant and accessible space, the Skatepark is an example of how we are supporting communities to transform lives through sport and physical activity, putting into practice our Uniting the Movement strategy.”
South Hams and West Devon are awarded funding to tackle sticky issue of chewing gum
| Tel: 01803 861368 / 01822 813648 | Email: communications@swdevon.gov.uk |
South Hams and West Devon are awarded funding to tackle sticky issue of chewing gum
Issued 11 July 2024
A grant from the Chewing Gum Task Force, administered by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, will help South Hams and West Devon Councils clean up gum and reduce gum littering.
The two councils are putting plans in place to remove the chewing gum that blights local streets after receiving a £18,754 grant to tackle the issue.
The councils are among 54 across the country that have successfully applied to the Chewing Gum Task Force, now in its third year, for funds to clean gum off pavements and prevent it from being littered again.
Established by Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and run by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, the Chewing Gum Task Force Grant Scheme is open to councils across the UK who wish to clean up gum in their local areas and invest in long-term behaviour change to prevent gum from being dropped in the first place.
The Task Force is funded by major gum manufacturers including Mars Wrigley and Perfetti Van Melle, with an investment of up to £10 million spread over five years.
Monitoring and evaluation carried out by Behaviour Change – a not-for-profit social enterprise - has shown that in areas that benefitted from the first year of funding, a reduced rate of gum littering was still being observed six months after clean-up and the installation of prevention materials.
Cllr Jacqi Hodgson, South Hams Executive Member for Waste, said: “Many towns and cities are affected by people dropping chewing gum and we hope that the street cleaning this grant covers will act as a reminder to people that our streets look much nicer without litter like chewing gum.”
Cllr Ursula Mann, West Devon Lead Member for climate change and biodiversity, said: “We’re grateful to the Chewing Gum Task Force for this grant. It’s a positive way for the industry to help solve the littering issue that it creates.”
Estimates suggest the annual clean-up cost of chewing gum for councils in the UK is around £7-million and, according to Keep Britain Tidy, around 77% of England’s streets and 99% of retail sites are stained with gum.
In its second year the task force awarded 55 councils a total of £1.56-million, helping clean an estimated 440,000 m2 of pavement - an area equivalent to the Vatican City.
By combining targeted street cleaning with specially designed signage to encourage people to bin their gum, participating councils achieved reductions in gum littering of up to 60% in the first two months.
Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, Keep Britain Tidy’s chief executive, said: “Chewing gum litter is highly visible on our high streets and is both difficult and expensive to clean up, so the support for councils provided by the Chewing Gum Task Force and the gum manufacturers is very welcome.
“However, once the gum has been cleaned up, it is vital to remind the public that when it comes to litter, whether it’s gum or anything else, there is only one place it should be – in the bin – and that is why the behaviour change element of the task force’s work is so important.”
Welcome To Our July Newsletter!
| Action on climate change in Devon and dates for the diary |
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