Latest news with #SouthMolton
BBC News
27-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Ex South Molton bank could be turned into flats and retail unit
A former bank building in a Devon town could be converted into flats and a retail unit under new Georgian building in East Street in South Molton was previously used as a Lloyds branch, until it closed two years developers want to create two flats, refurbish an existing apartment and provide a retail unit on the ground have applied to North Devon Council for planning consent, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The application said the 193-year-old building was in the conservation area of the town and the developers planned to retain as many features of the existing building as Kaufman Architects on behalf of CAI Property Ltd said the building had been neglected and underused for some planning application will be considered by North Devon Council at a later date.
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Survey looks at women's mental health in farming
Trudy Herniman was 23 years old when her mother, a farmer's wife, took her own life."She wasn't someone who cried. She was very matter-of-fact and just got on with things," she saidA survey by the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) in 2021 found that 43% of women in rural areas were classified as either possibly or probably part of a three-year study, researchers at the University of Exeter are seeking the views of women in farming to help improve the support provided for their health and wellbeing. Ms Herniman, 52, of South Molton, works as a field insurance advisor and makes it her job to offer support when said: "You're invited into the farmhouse kitchen – people tell you about their worries, their fears, the challenges they are suffering."If I can prevent what happened to my mum from happening to someone else, I will. "If I can get them to open up, then I will. That's her legacy."She added that women were the backbone in farming, and she saw a huge amount of stress and burden put upon them. In 2021, The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) surveyed 15,296 people from across England and Wales (76% male, 23% female)It found:36% of all respondents were classified as either possibly or probably depressed. For women, this figure was 43%.47% were experiencing anxiety to some degree (women 58%). 18% moderate or severe anxiety (women 23%). Carly Titmus, 44 works for the young suicide prevention charity, visits livestock markets in the South West of England to promote said: "I have worked alongside women in our farming communities. "There is a lot of discussion around isolation and feeling like they are not fitting in and getting time off the farm to have that break away." Three-year study Researchers are seeking the views of women in farming to help improve the support provided for their health and research is led by the University of Exeter and the Farming Community Network (FCN) said it aimed to better understand the physical and mental health of women working in agriculture - including potential stressors in farming and barriers to seeking survey is part of the three-year research project and team members said they were keen to hear from all women over the age of 18 who were either living and/or working on said the results would be shared with relevant public health bodies and policy Rebecca Wheeler, from the University of Exeter, who is leading the project, said: "We want to hear about the experiences of women from across the UK – of all ages and backgrounds – and from different roles in agriculture."Linda Jones, national manager (FCN Cymru), said: "This is an important opportunity for women in farming to share their views and contribute to this new research. "There has historically been limited research conducted into the health and wellbeing of women in farming – including both the positive aspects, as well as any unique stressors or barriers that may be faced and potential implications for their life choices."
BBC News
13-05-2025
- BBC News
Car driver dies after crash with lorry near South Molton
A car driver in his 20s has died following a collision with a lorry in Devon, police have said. Devon and Cornwall Police said the incident happened on an unclassified road at Kingsland Barton, South Molton at about 14:55 BST on Monday. Two vehicles were involved, a black Honda Civic and a brown Scania HGV - the male driver of the car died at the are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
The Sun
11-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
We came home from holiday to find nightmare newbuild estate with 129 houses built next door… it's destroying our lives
A COUPLE returned from their holiday to discover a new build estate with 129 houses built next door. Martine Le Barth, 75, and her husband say their mental health has taken a dive and claim that people can see into their bedroom. 6 6 The couple moved to South Molton's Parklands estate in Devon in 1992. Martine claims they were given assurances that the land behind their home would remain undeveloped. But they were "flabbergasted" when they returned home from a six-month holiday and saw two-storey houses built next to their bungalow. They say the ongoing construction of the new homes have robbed them 'their privacy' - adding that they have been awaken with loud banging at 7am. Martine said: "My mental health has been really affected and my sleeping pattern too. ''It is getting me awake at night. Over three nights I must have managed to sleep 6 or 7 hours at the most - it is bad. "Our house went from being the most desirable to the least desirable with those big buildings so close to us." The new houses are part of Tilia Homes' Cashmere Park development, which was approved by North Devon Council in 2021. The scheme includes 129 two to four-bedroom homes, more than 20 per cent of which will be affordable housing. The development will also feature two acres of public open space, a children's play area and biodiversity enhancements. George Michael's £10m London mansion gets modern makeover after row with neighbours over buildings 'left to rot' But Martine claims they were unaware of any formal consultation on the current scheme. She stated: "We were flabbergasted when we came back after Christmas and saw that they built two-story houses next us very very close. "The problem is we didn't know what was going on because they sent us the wrong plan originally which was for another development and then there was a consultation which I assumed was when we were gone for six months when our granddaughter was born. "But then I've realised it was in the summer 2021 when we were here and it says in the minutes of the consultation that no neighbours were there - no wonder because no one was told about it." At first the family's problems began with the banging noises from the builders who would start at 7am and wake them up - taking a toll on the family's mental health. But despite the loud banging issue being resolved, light into the family's bedroom, study and garden has been blocked by the new development, said Martine. She added that she is now unable to dry her clothes outside as the properties block the sun from her garden. She said: "I have been really upset about it. They blocked the sunshine as well because they are on the western side of us so I can't put my washing to dry on the line anymore. "There is no light coming to the family's study. "My grandchildren came for three weeks and when it is sunny we eat in the garden. Those people will see us directly." She claims that despite complaining to the planning department, their requests "have been ignored". Martine said: "We've asked for some frosted windows because we have lost all privacy - they have got a view of our bedroom and the study. "They actually look down into our rooms, our living quarters. Our request for frosted windows as been ignored." Moving out would be a "tall order", added Martine, who says they will likely keep living in the house. She said: "I think we will stay there and live next to those houses but our own house will have lost a lot of value and when we die our children won't get the value the house could have had in the first place. "Our house went from being the most desirable to the least desirable with those big buildings so close to us." A spokesperson for Tilia Homes said: "As a considerate developer, Tilia Homes is committed to minimising disruption to local residents while delivering much-needed homes in South Molton. "We understand that construction activity can be challenging for neighbours, and we are actively working to ensure any impact is kept to a minimum. "Our Cashmere Park development, approved by North Devon Council in 2021, will deliver 129 two to four-bedroom homes, with over 20 per cent allocated as affordable housing." The company said how the scheme includes two acres of open public space and the retention of mature trees. "We have also pledged more than £1.4 million in community contributions for education, public transport, and local infrastructure improvements. Tilia insisted that construction is being carried out in accordance with the approved planning layout. The company also stated that building work is carried out from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays. The spokesperson added that if residents see workers building outside of the specified working times that they should contact Tilia. Tilia's spokesperson added: "We sincerely appreciate residents' patience during construction, and we will be contacting Mr and Mrs Le Barth to discuss their concerns directly with them." The developer said there had been no amendments to the application since its approval in 2021 and the local planning authority conducted the required consultation process with residents at the time. A spokesperson for North Devon Council said: "This matter is currently being dealt with through our feedback and complaints procedure. "However, the impact of new development on existing and future residents is a matter that is duly considered by planning officers as part of the planning process." 6 6 6 6
Daily Mail
11-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Retired couple went on a six-month holiday...and came home to 'find a newbuild estate with 129 houses being built next door'
A couple have said they are having 'sleepless nights' after they returned home from a holiday to find a new estate had been built next door. Martine Le Barth, 75, and her husband say they have had their quality of life compromised by homes being built just beyond their garden fence. The couple say that sunlight has now been blocked from their home and people can now see into their bedrooms. They moved to South Molton's Parklands Estate in Devon in 1992. Martine claims they were given assurances that the land behind their home would remain undeveloped. Upon returning from a six-month holiday, they were then 'flabbergasted' to discover two-storey houses had been built next to their bungalow. They say the ongoing construction has robbed them of 'their privacy' and given them rude awakenings with loud banghing at 7am. The developer said there had been no amendments to the application since its approval in 2021 and the local planning authority conducted the required consultation process with residents at the time. Martine said: 'My mental health has been really affected and my sleeping pattern too. 'It is getting me awake at night. Over three nights I must have managed to sleep 6 or 7 hours at the most - it is bad. 'Our house went from being the most desirable to the least desirable with those big buildings so close to us.' The new houses are part of Tilia Homes' Cashmere Park development, which was approved by North Devon Council in 2021. The scheme includes 129 two to four-bedroom homes, more than 20 per cent of which will be affordable housing. The development will also feature two acres of public open space, a children's play area and biodiversity enhancements. But Martine claims they were unaware of any formal consultation on the current scheme. She stated: 'We were flabbergasted when we came back after Christmas and saw that they built two-story houses next us very very close. 'The problem is we didn't know what was going on because they sent us the wrong plan originally which was for another development and then there was a consultation which I assumed was when we were gone for six months when our granddaughter was born. 'But then I've realised it was in the summer 2021 when we were here and it says in the minutes of the consultation that no neighbours were there - no wonder because no one was told about it.' The local planning authority said that residents had been notified about the plans. At first the family's problems began with the banging noises from the builders who would start at 7am and wake them up - taking a toll on the family's mental health. But despite the loud banging issue being resolved, light into the family's bedroom, study and garden has been blocked by the new development, said Martine. She says she is now unable to dry her clothes outside as the properties block the sun from her garden. She said: 'I have been really upset about it. They blocked the sunshine as well because they are on the western side of us so I can't put my washing to dry on the line anymore. 'There is no light coming to the family's study. 'My grandchildren came for three weeks and when it is sunny we eat in the garden. Those people will see us directly.' She claims that despite complaining to the planning department their requests 'have been ignored'. Martine said: 'We've asked for some frosted windows because we have lost all privacy - they have got a view of our bedroom and the study. 'They actually look down into our rooms, our living quarters. Our request for frosted windows as been ignored.' Moving out would be a 'tall order', added Martine, who says they will likely keep living in the house. She said: 'I think we will stay there and live next to those houses but our own house will have lost a lot of value and when we die our children won't get the value the house could have had in the first place. 'Our house went from being the most desirable to the least desirable with those big buildings so close to us.' A spokesperson for Tilia Homes said: 'As a considerate developer, Tilia Homes is committed to minimising disruption to local residents while delivering much-needed homes in South Molton. We understand that construction activity can be challenging for neighbours, and we are actively working to ensure any impact is kept to a minimum. 'Our Cashmere Park development, approved by North Devon Council in 2021, will deliver 129 two to four-bedroom homes, with over 20 per cent allocated as affordable housing. 'The scheme includes two acres of public open space, a children's play area, and biodiversity enhancements, including the retention of mature trees. We have also pledged more than £1.4 million in community contributions for education, public transport, and local infrastructure improvements. 'We would like to reassure residents that all construction is being carried out in accordance with the approved planning layout, which has not changed since permission was granted. 'This layout reflects the design and positioning agreed by the local authority following the statutory planning process. 'Our permitted working hours are 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays. 'These hours are clearly communicated to all contractors, and our site manager oversees daily compliance. If any residents experience activity outside of these times, we encourage them to report it directly so we can investigate promptly. 'We believe that Cashmere Park will make a positive, lasting contribution to South Molton, creating not just homes, but a thriving community. 'We sincerely appreciate residents' patience during construction, and we will be contacting Mr and Mrs Le Barth to discuss their concerns directly with them.' A spokesperson for North Devon Council said: 'This matter is currently being dealt with through our feedback and complaints procedure. 'However, the impact of new development on existing and future residents is a matter that is duly considered by planning officers as part of the planning process.'
