Fears landfill plan for ‘rural gem’ will destroy North Devon roads and environment

There is growing opposition to controversial plans to dump hundreds of thousands of tonnes of construction waste in a rural location in North Devon which local residents say would be an ‘environmental tragedy’.

In three days, more than 550 people have signed an online petition against the proposal for East Nutcott Farm at Rackenford, claiming the inert landfill waste site would pose a huge threat to the Little Dart river and narrow rural roads which could see up to 60 heavy goods vehicle movements a day.

Applicant Titham Ltd have applied to Devon County Council for the importation of up to 663,000 tonnes of inert construction and demolition waste from across Devon to the 8.8 hectare site over several years followed by a ‘30-year aftercare regime’.#

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It says the application would meet a demand in Devon and that excavated ground would be re-profiled and restored to a condition that is “visually coherent, environmentally stable and consistent with the surrounding agricultural landscape” and would deliver “long-term environmental gains.”

But opponents, including North Devon Council, are concerned about the site’s close proximity to a number of special designations and the impact the plan would have the road network, the safety of other road users and pedestrians and the tranquillity of the village often referred to as ‘a rural gem’. 

A petition on change.org says: “The chosen location is alarmingly close to the Little Dart River, posing a potential risk to the delicate ecosystem that surrounds this area, which includes a county wildlife site.

“The narrow country lanes in Rackenford are indeed picturesque but wholly unsuitable for the sustained heavy goods vehicle traffic the development would necessitate.

“Moreover, this operation, which is anticipated to last several years, involves extensive earthworks. It aims to alter the existing landscape without delivering any tangible benefit to our local community. The proposal fails to offer clear advantages for those of us who cherish this land and its legacy for future generations.

“Such a development threatens not only the peace and safety of our environment but also the wildlife that calls this place home. These looming changes could drastically affect the quality of life for residents and create environmental challenges that may be irreversible.”

North Devon district councillor Peter Jones, who represents Witheridge, said this was “entirely the wrong location” for the operation, which would run six days a week.

He disputed there was a need for a new waste import site in the area as he claimed “existing facilities had sufficient capacity.”

He said: “The idea that this is a rewilding project is simply a Trojan horse.”

Parts of the approach road (C555) to the site narrowed to less than five metres and were not adequate for two large HGV to pass, he added, and fragile culverts would be at risk of collapse from repeated heavy vehicle use.

Cllr Jones said he was also concerned about uncontrolled run off including sediment and contaminants threatening water quality and sensitive habitats.

More than 40 comments against the plans have been submitted to North Devon Council.

One resident said: “There are deer crossings just yards from the farm, just part of the amazing wildlife and fauna. It would be an environmental tragedy.”

Another said with approximately six 20-tonne lorries travelling to the site every hour it was only a matter of time before a serious collision occurred.

The journeys would be made between 8am and 6pm which covered drop-off and pick up from the local primary school and nursery.

Planning documents from Titham Ltd say that the scheme had been designed to deliver enhanced drainage, improved water management, strengthened hedgerow and woodland structure and the creation of new meadow and wetland habitats across the restored site.

They said: “The proposal seeks to restore previously excavated land at East Nutcott Farm through the phased importation of clean inert soils and the creation of a stable, naturalistic landform that blends with the surrounding countryside. 

“The development has been designed to respect the site’s environmental sensitivities, improve overall land quality, and deliver long-term ecological and landscape benefits.”

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A public consultation on the proposal was held at the Rackenford Club in November 2025.

People can comment on the proposal on Devon County Council’s website until March 26. The application number is DCC/4451/2025

The online petition is entitled ‘Oppose the waste import site at East Nutcott Farm Rackenford’ on change.org