Combe Together

13/07/2026

This is likely of interest to people across Devon ...

Further information about the X Links AI Centre and BESS proposal.

I have been informed by X Links that it will not now be submitting an outline planning application until later this year in order to give longer time for public consultation. As a result, it has now postponed the July information days.

I have requested it to give early, timely and detailed public information about the programme of consultation it will now undertake in the autumn and I shall be monitoring closely that process. I shall also be drawing up a detailed written schedule of questions to which I should like answers during this period and I will be holding meetings with the Torridge District Council to discuss the issue and seek assurances that it will possess the expert technical resources necessary to assess any application made later this year. I will be publishing the answers I receive.

The company has agreed to my request that during this period of extended consultation, which will involve both informal and formal information days, another public forum will be held at which the most senior decision makers are present. Please watch out here for the announcement of this.

As I have said, I will not allow X Links, were it so minded, to shirk its responsibility to provide the full, detailed and candid disclosure local communities are entitled to expect in the circumstances. At the moment, I have no reason yet to believe that to be the case.

For those who would like to speak to me about this over the summer, I shall be holding meetings with residents in villages and parishes close to the site to examine the specific and immediate impact upon them.

I will also be writing to local residents living in the area asking for their views about these proposals.

In addition, I will be holding my usual village surgeries during the summer, starting with Black Torrington, Petrockstowe and Winkleigh on Friday 17 July, and rural and farming surgeries at the Woolsery Show and the Holsworthy Show. Please look out here for further information about these.

Finally, over the next six weeks, I shall also be holding a supermarket surgery in Bideford and a town hall surgery in Great Torrington. Please watch this space, and your local parish sites for news of these events!

Best Wishes

Geoffrey

13/07/2026

Have your say!

We're starting work on a new local plan for North Devon and Torridge that will help shape where homes, jobs and infrastructure go in the future, while protecting the things that make our area.

We want your views from the very beginning.

This first consultation isn't about specific development sites. It's about understanding what matters most to the people who live, work and spend time here.

📅 Consultation closes at 5pm on 11 August.

👉 Take part today via the link in the comments

13/07/2026

A good opportunity for wildlife lovers ...

📣 Become a Devon LNRS Ambassador

Devon Local Nature Partnership is recruiting a new cohort of Devon Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) Ambassadors and are looking for enthusiastic volunteers from across the county.

As an Ambassador, you’ll help raise awareness of the Devon LNRS within your community, workplace or network, share information with others, and, if you’d like, represent the strategy at local events and engagement activities.

The role is completely flexible, allowing you to give as much or as little time as you can.

To support new volunteers, they will be running online training sessions via Microsoft Teams:
📅 15 July, 7:00–8:30pm
📅 20 July, 12:00–1:30pm

Interested? Sign up here:
https://orlo.uk/3IRnK

Help us spread the word and support nature recovery across Devon.

25/04/2026

Encouraging people to come together, share skills and a cuppa, and repair what might otherwise get thrown away!

02/04/2026

02/04/2026

The SAS Brand Audit report reveals government failure to crack down on big brands is fueling the plastic pollution crisis – and communities are paying the price.

01/04/2026

Bring any bottle to refill😁 for all of your cleaning needs, every drop helps reduce our impact on our water and land

01/04/2026

From today (1 April 2026), you can add a few more items to your kerbside recycling.

Tetra Paks (like orange juice and milk cartons) and crisp tubes (such as Pringles) will now be accepted. Simply flatten and pop them in your brown recycling bag with the rest of your recycling.

Thank you for helping to recycle more ♻️

29/01/2026

Join Earth Action North Devon for the Big Day of Action 2026!

Throughout northern Devon, hundreds of people will be taking part in community cleans, dedicated to making a real difference to the places we live and love, and you can be one of them!

This year Ilfracombe’s local beach cleans will be taking place at both Wildersmouth and Hele Bay.

When: Saturday 31st January 2026
Time: from 10am
Where: Meet at the entrance to either Hele Beach or Wildersmouth Beach

What3Words Wildersmouth Beach: ///unwound.rugs.refills
What3Words Hele Beach: ///blending.emptied.universal

Equipment will be provided

Visit the Earth Action website for more info: https://www.earthactionnorthdevon.org/blog/day-of-action