THE pressure to build more homes in Devon’s countryside is greater than ever and big developers exert enormous influence over what is built and where.

A video just released by the Devon branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE Devon) highlights one village’s success in preventing unwanted development, whilst sensitively addressing the need for sustainable local homes.

The latest film by the campaigning organisation focusses on the parish of Rackenford and Creacombe, midway between Tiverton and South Molton, where residents came up with a plan to provide an acceptable number of homes which complement vernacular architecture.

The video can be viewed at: https://goo.gl/81Zd6L and will be widely shared on social media.

Rackenford is a typical rural community of around 400 people with a church, primary school, pub and community shop but no public transport or doctors’ surgery.

Concerned about the future of these limited facilities, the Parish Council - a member of CPRE Devon - took an active role in formulating its own section of a new local plan for North Devon.

The community identified three possible sites in and around the village where new homes could be built and took the unusual decision to agree to twice as many dwellings as the five or six the District Council had originally requested.

CPRE Devon’s Phillip Bratby, who lives in Rackenford, said: “As an organisation which campaigns to protect Devon’s beautiful countryside, we know there’s a need to build more homes to safeguard the future of small rural communities.

“However, it’s a question of building the right type of homes in the right places, homes which are affordable and sustainable. Rackenford is a great example of what can be achieved when the views of residents are taken into account when developing local plans.”

CPRE Devon’s mission is to protect Devon’s countryside in a way that underpins the local economy whilst maintaining the best balance between necessary development and a tranquil, productive and beautiful environment.

CPRE Devon has a growing membership and can help town and parish councils and community groups oppose unwanted or inappropriate housing developments.

For further information, visit: www.cpredevon.org.uk .