Ilfracombe residents are being invited to have their say on measures to address antisocial behaviour in the town centre. North Devon Council is seeking to renew the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) which is in place in Ilfracombe – as well as Barnstaple – and has launched a consultation for members of the public to voice their opinions on the measures.The PSPO aims to prevent nuisance behaviours such as street drinking, drug use, public urination and aggressive begging, as well as antisocial behaviour that can have a detrimental impact on the local community.A breach of the PSPO can lead to a £100 fixed penalty, of which failure to pay can result in court proceedings and a fine of up to £1,000. The PSPO is largely the same as the one introduced in 2020. Proposed changes include the ability to disperse one person, as well as groups of two or more.North Devon Council leader Ian Roome said: “The antisocial behaviour PSPO allows us to directly deal with conduct that can have a damaging impact on peoples lives, so I would encourage people to take part in the consultation and have their say.The PSPO empowers the police and our own ASB officers, neighbourhood wardens and street marshals to address negative behaviour and ensure our town centres are places residents and visitors alike can enjoy safely.” The consultation will close on 6 November 2023. To have your say, visit: https://ecv.microsoft.com/ NWkAjwu1blLocal News – The Ilfracombe Magazine…

Ilfracombe is set to benefit from a substantial funding boost of just over £87,000, aimed at enhancing community amenities.The development is the result of a decision made during North Devon Council’s Strategy and Resources Committee meeting. The funds will be used for the construction of new play equipment along Ilfracombe seafront.The project is designed to provide a vibrant new play environment for the children and families of the local community.North Devon Council leader Ian Roome said: “I am pleased to see Ilfracombe benefitting from this significant Section 106 funding. The funding initiative reflects a shared vision, to make Ilfracombe an even more attractive and familyfriendly destination. I look forward to seeing the forthcoming transformations.”Under Section 106 of the Town & Country Planning Act, contributions can be sought from developers towards the costs of providing extra community and social infrastructure as a result of the impact of new development in the area.These contributions can only be used for certain things, and are used primarily for public open space projects.Local News – The Ilfracombe Magazine…

A street marshal scheme which is said to have contributed toward a fall in antisocial behaviour in Barnstaple is being extended to Ilfracombe.The initiative, which has been running for the past 12 months in Barnstaple, is being funded by North Devon Council for a further six months. The council described the project as “an unprecedented success” with almost 400 fewer crimes recorded in Barnstaple than the year before.Ilfracombe has been included in the scheme after complaints of increased drinking in Runnymede Gardens and the sea front. Speaking at a recent meeting, council chairman Ian Roome said Barnstaple is a much nicer place to visit as crime had gone down – and that Ilfracombe could also reap the benefits.He said: “The shopkeepers are telling me that it really works and what an advantage it is. People in Ilfracombe will see that too. It’s a really good thing that it is there for the businesses as they attract people in.”Councillors heard that the marshals were highly valued by the police and other emergency services as well as council staff, businesses, residents and visitors. They were funded after a successful bid to the government’s Safer Streets programme, which gave the council £350,000 in July last year to tackle anti-social behaviour and violence against women and girls.As well as providing reassurance to the community and dealing with early signs of ASB, street marshals help police and the council with their daily duties, gather intelligence, enforce the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPOs), provide first aid and a link to council and police teams by using the existing town centre radio network call Shopnet. Barnstaple’s street marshals dealt with 427 incidents since July 2022.Local News – The Ilfracombe Magazine…

Ilfracombe’s hidden gem has retained a major accreditation for the 19th year. Bicclescombe Park has achieved the Green Flag accreditation – the international quality mark for parks and green spaces. North Devon Council, which manages the park, say the accreditation is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team that care for the green space.2023 is the 19th consecutive year that Bicclescombe Park has achieved the status, with the help of active community groups including the Bicclescombe Park User Group.Leader of North Devon Council, Councillor Ian Roome said: “Through unwavering dedication and tireless efforts from our Parks team and from community groups, I am proud to share that we have achieved the Green Flag status again.To achieve this status again is a testament to everyone’s dedication and hard work to these green spaces. I’d like to say a big thank you and well done to all involved.” Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in achieving these Green Flag Awards. Bicclescombe Park is a vital green space for the community in North Devon, bringing people together and providing opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles.The staff and volunteers do so much to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award and everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.”The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, recognises well-managed parks & green spaces, setting the standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom & around the world.Local News – The Ilfracombe Magazine…

A new Toy Library has been installed in the town as part of Plastic Free North Devon’s Visitor Campaign.Ilfracombe Holiday Park signed up to the campaign earlier in the year and installing a Toy Library was the one of the first actions they have taken.Families can borrow beach toys for their holiday and bring them back at the end of their stay. This latest Toy Library is the sixth that Plastic Free North Devon has installed in North Devon.Anne- Marie Eveleigh, Operations Manager, Plastic Free North Devon, said: “It’s fantastic to get Ilfracombe Holiday Park on board with the Visitor Campaign. They are looking at ways to reduce their impact on the environment and installing the Toy Library is a great first step as it is providing a tool to help reduce the impact of plastic pollution and ensure that these toys do not become single use items. We are looking forward to seeing what further actions they take in the future.”Ilfracombe Holiday Park Management said: “Ilfracombe Holiday Park is proud to announce its collaboration with Plastic Free North Devon, on an exciting project aimed at promoting sustainability and reducing plastic pollution. As part of Plastic Free North Devon’s Visitor Campaign, we have taken the initiative to install a bespoke, hand-built shed, which will serve as a Toy Library for our valued guests and the wider Ilfracombe community. Rather than purchasing buckets, spades, and polystyrene bodyboards for their holidays, only to be discarded on beaches or sent to landfill, families can now borrow these items from the Toy Library during their stay and return them at the end, ready for another family to enjoy. We are delighted to have partnered with Plastic Free North Devon on this initiative.”Local News – The Ilfracombe Magazine…

A newly constructed pathway, made from a resin that incorporates waste plastic, has been laid at Ilfracombe Harbour.The pathway which helps to address the issue of plastic waste also provides an extremely hard-wearing and anti-slip walkway for pedestrians. It guides individuals away from the unfenced edge of the harbour and has been designed to be the safest route to transit the area.The walkway, a testament to sustainability and resourcefulness, integrates discarded plastic straws, food packaging, bottles, and even plastic waste from Ilfracombe’s fishermen.By repurposing these materials into the pathway, the project significantly contributed to the reduction of plastic pollution, benefitting the local environment and marine life.Lead member for Climate and Biodiversity, Cllr Ricky Knight, said: “I was particularly interested to learn this pathway includes plastic waste which has been recycled by the town’s own fisherman and then created into a hard-wearing resin. A brilliant idea which I hope will be considered for other pathways across the district in the future.” The funding for this ecofriendly project was predominantly provided by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) under the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme. The project showcases the power of collective action and highlights how sustainable solutions can positively impact individuals’ daily lives while promoting ecofriendly practices.With the unveiling of this pioneering pathway, Ilfracombe sets an inspiring example for other communities, encouraging them to explore innovative ways to tackle plastic waste and adopt sustainable infrastructure solutions.Local News – The Ilfracombe Magazine…

lfracombe’s state-of-the-art watersports centre is finally open. The Watersports Hub at Larkstone Cove had its grand opening on 13 July.The ribbon cutting ceremony saw North Devon Council’s Leader, Chief Executive and Dehenna Davison MP, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Levelling Up, joined by members of three local watersports clubs and the council’s Harbour and Property teams, to declare the hub officially open.The centre gives new homes to three local clubs – Ilfracombe Pilot Gig Club, Y-Sail and Ilfracombe Canoe Club. The facility gives them the opportunity to extend their memberships to the wider community and offer…

Independent town centre businesses in Ilfracombe can now apply for a grant to help spruce up their shopfronts.North Devon Council has launched the Town Centre Enhancement Scheme to encourage businesses to upgrade, repair and refurbish shopfronts to emphasise the individuality of the business premises and, where appropriate, the historic character of the town centres.The scheme is a capital grants scheme based on the award to North Devon Council within the UK Shared Prosperity fund investment plan for 2022/2024 within the ‘improvements to town centres and high streets’ strand. The council will contribute up to 50% of total eligible…

Friendships old and new, the D-Day landings, and a slice of Viking history were on the menu for Ilfracombe’s Twinning Association on their visit to Ifs in Normandy last month. After the French visited North Devon last year, it was Ilfracombe’s turn to take the ferry and spend four days as guests of their host families.Among the highlights were a visit to the British Normandy Memorial at Gold Beach, where the Ilfracombe/Ifs French Twinning Association laid a wreath in memory of the fallen. Terri Woof, whose father Norman Courtney had fought his way up the beach on 6th…

Ilfracombe’s new watersports hub is on track for a summer opening after passing a major milestone.The watersports centre at Larkstone Cove has reached practical completion, with builders Pearce Construction handing the keys to North Devon Council. An official opening for the centre is set to take place in mid- July.Before then, contractors Gunite will be completing work on the sea wall and Pearce Construction will be removing their site compound. The centre’s café, The Lime Kiln, will also be fitted out and once complete later this month, visitors will be able to enjoy its delicious menu while taking…