Campaigners oppose Rackenford waste site plans as petition gains support

Although not in our usual area of coverage, The Moorlander is supporting a petition launched by Devon CPRE as campaigners step up opposition to controversial plans for a waste import site in North Devon, with more than 900 people signing a petition calling for the proposal to be rejected.

The objection has been led by Devon CPRE, which has criticised the application for an “inert waste import and land-raising” operation at East Nutcott Farm in Rackenford.

Residents, backed by the charity and local councillor Richard Hopley, are urging Devon County Council to refuse the application (DCC/4451/2025).

The proposal would see around 444,000 cubic metres (663,000 tonnes) of construction waste brought into the rural site over several years. The location lies close to the Little Dart River and within a highly sensitive landscape, near designated areas including the North Devon Coast National Landscape, Culm Grassland Special Area of Conservation, Rackenford Moor Site of Special Scientific Interest and the North Devon Biosphere Reserve.

In its formal objection, Devon CPRE said: “Despite being described as ‘landscape-led’, the development is a large-scale waste importation and land engineering operation. The scheme is fundamentally waste-led.”

The charity also raised concerns about a lack of clarity over how the development would be phased, adding: “There is no clearly defined or enforceable phasing plan. It is not evident how much of the site would be worked at any one time, and there is no phasing strategy supported by robust information on vehicle movements, soil handling, or restoration methodology. This undermines the conclusions of the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA), and conflicts with the requirements of [several] Policies, which require clear and demonstrable enhancement of landscape character.”

Campaigners argue the development would bring a significant increase in heavy goods vehicle traffic to the area, with narrow country lanes around Rackenford seen as unsuitable for sustained use.

Summarising concerns, Devon CPRE said: “Residents raise significant concerns regarding the adequacy of the evidence base and the environmental and highway impacts of the proposal. They argue that the development would result in long-term disruption, safety risks, and environmental harm, with no clear or proportionate community benefit.

“The proposal would involve substantial landform alteration and prolonged construction activity within a high-value landscape. Any claimed benefits are uncertain, insufficiently defined, and not secured through the application. The supporting technical assessments contain limitations and rely on assumptions rather than robust, site-specific evidence.

“On this basis, the application is considered contrary to a number of policies, including the North Devon and Torridge Local Plan Policies, ST14 and DM08/8A, and the Devon Waste Local Plan Policies W3, W11 and W12, as it fails to adequately demonstrate conservation and enhancement of landscape character and tranquility. It is a waste-led development supported by insufficient technical evidence, and the application should be refused.”

Councillor Hopley, who represents the South Molton area, also voiced strong opposition to the scheme.

“This application will be absolutely devastating for local communities. An average of 66 HGVs a day travelling along our country lanes and through local villages for four years will see the further decline of our roads and verges, and impact wildlife, the environment, people’s lives and health and pose a danger to other road users, especially walkers and cyclists.

“Why is it necessary to deposit 660,000 tons of soil to re-landscape? I would question what materials will be contained within that ‘soil’. Will there be invasive plants? Will the ground become contaminated? What would happen in four years if the company went into liquidation, leaving a complete mess of the surrounding environment? This application should be refused. It is of benefit to no one other than the applicant.”

The petition opposing the development continues to gather support online. Oppose the waste import site at East Nutcott Farm, Rackenford following this link -

https://www.change.org/p/oppose-the-waste-import-site-at-east-nutcott-farm-rackenford-dcc-4451-2025