Welcome to the official website for Instow Parish Council
Housing Needs Survey
Still time to complete an online survey for North Devon Housing Needs Survey.The link is shown below.
This must be received by 7th February 2025
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/InstowHNS
31st January 2025
Update on the management of the Sand
Appendix 3 within the Instow Parish Council Minutes – 16 January 2025Cllr Johnson Report
Representatives from:
Christie Estate, Natural England, the North Devon Biosphere, the Environment Agency, Devon County Highways plus their safety contractor, North Devon District Council's engineering team and Cllr Johnson from IPC council all attended the meeting held at All Saints Community Centre in the village on January 16th 2025.
The meeting agreed that there are several stage’s.
Immediate work to be done.
An emergency license for 6-months has been applied for to clear away down below the levels of the drains and for executing short term actions to remove sand, which has built up as a result of winter storms. All parties agreed to the fast tracking of permissions to allow for more flexibility for a short-term fixed period to allow the issue to be alleviated. This process is now underway while plans are being developed and resources identified to carry out the agreed sand movement project.
An action plan for better managing problems with sand build up and flooding in Instow was agreed at a recent meeting.
What plans for the future of certain period time.
The meeting reviewed the historical reports previously developed and agreed that rather than re-inventing the wheel these would be used as the basis of developing future options but the time scale would be extended to 50 years rather than the 20 year basis previously used.
Meeting attendees acknowledged the complexity of the situation.
Instow beach is owned in part by the Christie Estate and, has a protected SSSI designation covering part of the site, and under the jurisdiction of Natural England, while forming part of the North Devon Biosphere. Historically this has created confusion around the removal and relocation of sand build-up on the roads by DDC Highways.
Notes
DCC are due to attend a second visit, to clear up the sand on the road and pavement’s however, it is a triage system. Other issues within the County have taken priority. They can come along and just close the road. The 6-month licence would then see the parish through to the storms and spring high tides. If there is a need to apply for a longer licence this would be actioned. This team will be working closely outside these meetings, Cllr Johnson will be engaging as duty liaison officer with all parties on a regular basis.
Cost implications
A budget costing will be developed for the operations once it is agreed on the scope of the activities – amount of sand, current location, approved relocation shite - as agreed in the consents issued.
Updates – When new information is available see the IPC website or attend the February Parish Council Meeting on 20.02.25 at 19:00
Next Parish Council Meeting - Thursday 20th February 2025 7:00 pm start
Note: New start time.COUNCIL MEETING Questions are welcome from the public in the section reserved for this at the beginning of the meeting. It would help if Parishioners' questions could be forwarded in advance of the meeting to the Parish Clerk at clerk@instowparish.com or by telephone on 07760 800553.
