Consultation on North Devon parish boundary changes is extended

People living in North Devon now have until the end of January to have their say on proposed changes to various town and parish boundaries across the district.

North Devon Council has pushed the deadline for its public consultation back from September 30 to January 30 and has urged anyone living in the affected parishes to make their views known.

The council is reviewing the boundaries and electoral arrangements of some parishes within the council area as part of a Community Governance Review.

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There are a raft of proposals that affect Barnstaple and Pilton, Fremington, Tawstock, Landkey and Ilfracombe.

Such periodic reviews look at the boundaries and electoral arrangements for towns and parishes to ensure they are effective, fair and reflect the needs of their communities.

The council said several town and parish councils put had forward initial proposals, which were consulted on between July and September, but following feedback received, it has opted for a further consultation.

The various proposals are as follows:

Barnstaple Town Council – to establish six wards within Barnstaple: Newport, Central, Pilton, Yeo Valley, Forches and Westacott, and Longbridge.

Barnstaple Town Council and Pilton West – There are three options for consideration regarding Shearford Close and Trayne Heights and whether they are moved into Barnstaple or kept in Pilton West.

Barnstaple Town Council and Landkey – Moving the boundary to coincide with the boundary of the Mount Sandford development.

Ilfracombe Town Council – re-establish Ilfracombe Central ward, giving the town three wards.

Fremington Parish Council – revising ward names and boundaries for fairer representation and efficient administration.

Fremington and Tawstock - realigning the boundary to follow the A3125 and adjusting the border between Chestwood Avenue and Beechwood Close to run along property boundaries, and extending the Fremington boundary to incorporate Birch Lane to Old Bideford Road, following the road up to the roundabout.

Tawstock Parish Council – merging the two existing urban wards into a single ward.

Councillor Christopher Norman, chair of North Devon Council’s governance committee, said: “Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to participate in the Community Governance Review to date. The views of those who responded to our first round of consultation have played a vital role in shaping these proposals.

“If you live in one of the areas brought forward by these proposals, then please take this new opportunity to share your thoughts and help ensure our local councils best reflect the needs of our communities.”

Residents can view the proposals and take part in the consultation by visiting https://letstalk.northdevon.gov.uk and completing the survey that affects them. Comments can also be submitted by email to consultation@northdevon.gov.uk or by post to North Devon Council, PO Box 379, Barnstaple, EX32 2GR.

Paper copies of the consultation are available at the Town Centre Hub in Barnstaple's Green Lanes Shopping Centre, the Ilfracombe Centre and the Amory Centre, South Molton.