West Devon (Local Environment Profile 2011)

KEY FACTS

> West Devon produced 574 kt of end user CO2 in 2008, the second lowest for a local authority in Devon and ninth lowest in the South West.

> Between 2005 and 2008, end user CO2 emissions increased by 2%.

> West Devon produced the lowest amount of domestic CO2 emissions for a local authority in Devon in 2008 and the sixth lowest in the South West.

> West Devon residents were responsible for a total of 10.9 tonnes of CO2 per capita in 2008, higher than Devon and the South West figure. This was the highest recorded by a local authority in Devon and the fifth highest in the South West.

> Between 2005 and 2008 per capita emissions reduced by 2% in West Devon.

> There are 57 river water bodies within West Devon. Our latest assessment of these classified 70.2% as moderate and 29.8% as good.

> West Devon is the largest local authority area in the South West, with over 4.7% of the total area of the South West. The largest proportion of land in West Devon is classified as green space, accounting for 97% of its total area.

> In 2009/10, West Devon Borough Council had the ninth lowest amount of residual waste in the South West with 446.00 kg/household. This was the fourth lowest to be produced in Devon

> West Devon Borough Council in 2009/10 against the other South West Councils, was in the top half of the recycling league table with 43.92%.

> The population of West Devon was estimated to be 53,100 in June 2010, 1% of the South West’s total population of 5,273,700.

> The number of households in West Devon in 2033 is predicted to be 36.4% (8,000) higher than in 2008, above the 30% increase predicted for the region as a whole.

> Larger population centres within West Devon where there is risk of flooding include Okehampton.

> There are a number of Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy's (CAMS) for the West Devon area. These are : Tamar; Torridge and Hartland Streams; Taw and North Devon Streams; Exe; Teign, Torbay and S Hams.

> West Devon citizens had an average eco-footprint of 4.96 gha. This was the second highest recorded in Devon

> Devon County Council had an allocation of 156,679 tonnes and only landfilled 133,376 tonnes (85.1%) of their Biodegradable Municipal Waste.

Devon County (showing districts, plus Plymouth and Torbay)

Act to reduce climate change and its consequences

CLIMATE CHANGE

The UK climate projections (UKCP09) provide information on how the UK’s climate is likely to change in the 21st century, as it responds to rising levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

CARBON DIOXIDE - END USER

West Devon produced 574 kt of end user CO2 in 2008, the second lowest for a local authority in Devon and ninth lowest in the South West.
Between 2005 and 2008, end user CO2 emissions increased by 2%, from 563 kt to 574 kt.
The highest proportion of end user emissions in West Devon in 2008 came from road transport, accounting for 34% (193 kt), followed by industry and commerce with 29% (164 kt). West Devon produced the lowest amount of domestic CO2 emissions for a local authority in Devon in 2008 and the sixth lowest in the South West.

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CO2 Levels 2005-08: West Devon

West Devon residents were responsible for a total of 10.9 tonnes of CO2 per capita in 2008, 25% higher than the 8.2 tonnes average for Devon and 28% higher than the South West 7.8 tonnes per capita. This was the highest recorded by a local authority in Devon and the fifth highest in the South West.
Between 2005 and 2008 per capita emissions reduced by 2% West Devon, from 11.1t to 10.9t.

Please note - we are reporting on end user CO2 emissions, which are used as the National Indictor for Sustainable Development for the UK. An alternative measure of CO2 is available from the Stockholm Institute. As the data presented is from 2008, the local authority comparisons for the South West include district authorities in Cornwall and Wiltshire which have now been replaced by Unitary Authorities.

Source: Sub-national energy consumption statistics, DECC

ENERGY CONSUMPTION

There were 24,100 domestic electricity meter points in West Devon in 2009, 1% of the regional total of almost 2.4 million.
An average of 4,979kWh of electricity was used per consumer in West Devon during 2009, 12% (531kWh) higher than the regional average of 4,448kWh and 20% (827kWh) higher than the Great Britain average of 4,152kWh. This was the second highest recorded by a local authority in Devon, behind Mid Devon with 4,999kwh, the lowest for the County was Exeter with 3,871kWh.

Source : AEA for DECC

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TRANSPORT

Between 1993 and 2009, the total number of vehicle kilometres travelled within the Devon area increased by 28% (1,711 million km). This was a slightly higher rate of increase compared to the South West (26%).
7,722 million vehicle kilometres were made in Devon Authority area in 2009. This was the highest recorded by a unitary or county council in the South West, accounting for almost 16% of the 48,588 million km total for the region as a whole.

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A graph showing estimated vehicle kilometers in Devon (1993-2009)

Source: Department of Transport

COMMUTING

Driving to work is the main form of commuting in West Devon, the figure of 57.9% is slightly higher than the South West Regional figure of 58.7%.
Walking is the second most popular form of commute with 12.6% in West Devon, which is on a par with the South West figure of 12.1%. Both are higher than the UK average of 9.9%.

Source: Office of National Statistics

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A graph showing how people commute to work in West Devon

Protect and improve air, land and water quality

AIR QUALITY

There are no Air Quality Management Area within West Devon boundaries.

Source: DEFRA

WATER QUALITY

There are 57 river water bodies within West Devon. Our latest assessment of these classified 70.2% as moderate and 29.8% as good.
This compares with 373 river water bodies within Devon. Our latest assessment of these classified 1% as bad, 9.3% as poor, 57.4% as moderate and 32.2% as good.
The main reasons for less than good status include: impacted fish communities, physical modification, high levels of copper, phosphate and an impacted diatom community.

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A map showing Water Framework Directive (WFD) water bodies from Devon

For information on the activities taking place to help your local river improve, please see the Earth Chattering pages for an interactive map and much more information.

Please note - Water bodies do not fit exactly within local authority boundaries. The figures have been derived from those water bodies whose centres are within the district in question. If all water bodies within a district had been included, double accounting would have taken place. Some water bodies have yet to be classified. For the purpose of this exercise, these have been removed from the figures published.

Source: Environment Agency

LAND USE

West Devon is the largest local authority area in the South West, with 1,164,707 m2 within its realm, over 4.7% of the 24,477,128 m2 total area of the South West.
The largest proportion of land in West Devon is classified as green space, accounting for 1,123,377 m2 or 97% of its total area. This is higher than the county average of 92% and regional average of 91%.

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A graph showing the major landuses in West Devon

Source : Communities and Local Government

QUALITY OF LIFE

The ninth Local Environmental Quality Survey conducted by Keep Britain Tidy, was carried out between April 2009 and March 2010. The Summary Report key messages included:

~ Overall Standards within England remain the same as last year, with no change in the Cleansing Index score, which is 76, out of a possible 100.

~ 63% of standards for all LEQ indicators were either Good or Satisfactory.

~ The South East joins the South West as top performing region overall, for the first time this year.

~ The South West has been either the top performing region or joint top performing region since the 2007/08 Survey.

The survey carried out between April 2006 -March 2007, is available down to Local Authority Level, please click here for the details.

Source: Keep Britain Tidy

NITRATE VULNERABLE ZONES

Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) are areas of land that drain into waters polluted by nitrates, such that the ecosystem is at risk of being disturbed, or the water is likely to exceed 50 milligrams of nitrate in each litre.
Within West Devon, there is one small areas designated NVZ and no areas of deferred slurry storage.
NVZ regulations come fully into force on 1 Jan 2012, except in deferred Slurry storage areas which have until 1 Jan 2013.
For more information on NVZ, please see Environment Agency pages.For detailed maps relating to NVZ areas, please see source pages.

Source : Environment Agency

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West Devon Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs)

CATCHMENT SENSITIVE FARMING

Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) gives advice on dealing with diffuse pollution from agriculture and the impact on water courses.
CSF is a voluntary initiative, where as NVZs is a statutory obligation. CSF looks at : best practice on manure and pesticide usage; Promoting good soil structure; protecting watercourses from run-off and best practice on stock management.
There is one project local to West Devon on the Tamar/ Tavy catchments. This covers an area of 1,357km2.

Source: Environment Agency

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A map showing Catchment Sensitive Farming on the Tamar, overlapping into Plymouth, Caradon, West Devon and Torridge Council boundaries

SOIL

The map below shows soil types within West Devon area.
West Devon has a varied range of soil types. In its south eastern quadrant peaty soils dominate in the uplands of Dartmoor. The south west of the area is composed of medium textured soils with large patches of clay rich heavy soils dominating the northern half of West Devon.
Soil type is a major factor in determining the type of agriculture that can be supported. Generally medium textured soils support mixed farming while some of the peaty upland soils may be improved for grazing. The clay rich heavy soils underlie dairy pasture.
The latest detailed DEFRA data (2007) on the number of holdings (farm types) within West Devon shows over 40% of farms support grazing (sheep and beef) though data on mixed and dairy farming is suppressed for commercial confidentiality.

Source : DEFRA

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A map showing soil types in West Devon

POLLUTION INCIDENTS

For the period April 2005- March 2010 inclusive, there was 1 incident of major impact on water in West Devon. There were also 6 incidents of significant impact to water, and 1 incident of significant impact to water and land.
For the period April 2010- March 2011 inclusive, there were no incidents of major impact to land, air or water in West Devon.
For the same period, there were 3 incidents of significant impact to water and a further incident of significant impact to air.

Source: Environment Agency

FLYTIPPING

During 2009/10 there were 286 reported incidents of flytipping in West Devon, the lowest in Devon and the fourth lowest for a district or unitary authority in the region. This was a 18% increase from the 243 incidents in 2008/09.

Source: DEFRA

Please note: incidents of fly tipping are reported differently by each council. One may log black bin bags out on an incorrect day as a fly tipping incident where another council do not log this. Please be aware of these reporting discrepancies on Flycapture when looking at the data in comparison to other councils.

MUNICIPAL WASTE

West Devon Borough Council had the ninth lowest amount of residual waste in the South West with 446.00 kg/household. This was the fourth lowest to be produced in Devon.

In 2009/10, South Hams had the lowest level of residual waste in the South West with 341.04kg/household. The highest in the South West was Isles of Scilly Council with 1,452kg/household.

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Recycling in the South West (2009/10)

Recycling and composting has increased significantly in the South West, from 14.9% in 2000 / 2001 to 43.5% in 2009 / 2010.
West Devon Borough Council in 2009/10 against the other South West Councils, was in the top half of the recycling league table with 43.92%.
The highest rate of recycling in the SW was Cotswold District Council with 60.4%, and the lowest rate in the SW was Isles of Scilly with 18.9%.

Source: DEFRA

TOTAL MUNICIPAL WASTE LANDFILLED

Devon County Council landfilled 46.45%, however this equated to the largest amount in tonnes landfilled in the South West with 194,720 tonnes.

Bournemouth Borough Council landfilled the least percentage waste in 2009/10 (37.8%). Plymouth City Council landfilled the largest percentage of waste in 2009/10 (64%).

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Waste disposal 2009/10 in Devon

Source: Environment Agency

Put people and communities at the heart of what we do

POPULATION

The population of West Devon was estimated to be 53,100 in June 2010, 1% of the South West’s total population of 5,273,700.
Of this population, 17.1%, 59.9% were of working age (16 – 64), and 22.8% were of pensionable age (65+).
A larger percentage of West Devon’s population is of retirement age (22.8%) when compared with the regional (19.6%) and England (16.5%) values. The proportion was similar to the Devon county value of 22.4%.

Source : Office of National Statistics

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Population Growth in the South West: 2008-2033

NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS

The number of households in West Devon in 2033 is predicted to be 36.4% (8,000) higher than in 2008, above the 30% increase predicted for the region as a whole.

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Household Estimate and Projections 1991-2033: West Devon

Please note - Figures to 2008 are based on ONS mid-year population estimates and projected rates of household formation from trends in Census and Labour Force Survey data. All projections are 2008-based. The 2008-based household projections are linked to the Office for National Statistics 2008-based Population Projections, and are not an assessment of housing need or do not take account of future policies. They are an indication of the likely increase in households given the continuation of recent demographic trends.

Source: Communities and Local Government

NEW HOMES ON PREVIOUSLY DEVELOPED LAND

The proportion of new buildings built in England on previously developed land, rose 23% between 1994-2009. More than half of local authorities in the South West has an increase higher than the English average.
Over the same period, South Gloucestershire had the highest overall increase with 57%, and the lowest was Isles of Scilly with -10%. The second lowest local authority was jointly Cotswold and Torbay with only a 5% increase over the same period.
The increase in West Devon was 16%, lower than the UK average. This was the fourth lowest increase in Devon.
For the period 2006-2009, only 4 councils achieved over 90% of new dwellings on previously developed land in the South West. These were Bournemouth (97), Poole (97%), City of Bristol (95%) and Christchurch (94%).

Source : Communities and Local Government

FLOODING

One in six properties in England are at risk of flooding. In the South West over 200,000 properties are at risk of flooding from rivers or the sea and around 6,000 properties are at risk from coastal erosion in the South West.
The causes of flooding in Devon are varied; rivers, tidal, surface water or combinations of the three, depending on location.
Larger population centres within West Devon where there is risk of flooding include Okehampton.
To see locations at risk of flooding in Devon and West Devon, please click here for the Environment Agency flood map

Source: Environment Agency

PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND FLOOD RISK

The Environment Agency lodged objections to 6,200 planning applications in England and Wales on the grounds of flood risk in 2007/2008 up from 4,750 in 2006/2007. Of these, 1,160 objections were in the South West, accounting for almost 19% of the national total. Two major and twenty one minor developments were approved by local authorities contrary to advice in the South West. The two major were in Carrick (application for mixed use) and Weymouth & Portland (residential). There were no major or minor developments approved contrary to advice in West Devon
In 2008/09, a summary report was published which had no detailed information to local authority level.
The number of planning applications to which we objected on flood risk grounds fell slightly to 5,198 in 2008/09 compared to 6,232 in 2007/08, representing 43% of consultations received. This is the first fall in the proportion of consultations objected to since 2001/02.

Source:Environment Agency

Work with businesses and the public sector to use resources wisely

WATER RESOURCES

There are a number of Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy's (CAMS) for the West Devon area.
These are : Tamar; Torridge and Hartland Streams; Taw and North Devon Streams; Exe; Teign, Torbay and S Hams.

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Catchment Area Management Strategy (CAMS) for Devon

Source: Environment Agency

ECO FOOTPRINT

The ecological footprint is an indicator of the total environmental burden we place on the planet. It represents the area of land needed to provide raw materials, energy and food, and to absorb pollution and waste created. It is measured in global hectares (a hectare of land with world average productivity) and is usually expressed as a per person measure. The Stockholm Environmental Institute (SEI) calculates the ecological footprint of consumption activities.
One of the main features of an ecological footprint indicator is that it is based on consumption, not just domestic production. It takes into account the impact of all products that are consumed, whether they are produced in the country of consumption, or elsewhere in the world.

In 2006, an average UK citizen had an eco-footprint of 4.64gha, which is significantly above the available budget of 1.89 gha. The South West Regional average was 4.74 gha.
West Devon citizens had an average eco-footprint of 4.96 gha. This was the second highest recorded in Devon.
The ecological footprint of all local authorities in the UK is significantly above the available global budget. If everyone in the world consumed the same as a UK citizen we would need nearly three planets worth of resources.

Source: Resource Accounting

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A graph showing the West Devon Eco Footprint (2006) by themes

LANDFILL ALLOWANCE TRADING SCHEME

In 2009/10 the amount of biodegradable municipal waste (BMW) landfilled by the 16 local authorities within the South West was 1,032,967 tonnes against their combined allocation of 1,134,910 tonnes.
Devon County Council had an allocation of 156,679 tonnes and only landfilled 133,376 tonnes (85.1%) of their BMW.
Only two councils in the South West exceeded their allocations. They were Gloucestershire County Council and South Gloucestershire Council.

Source: Environment Agency

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Amount landfilled in 09/10 within the South West

Downloads

Please use these images in presentations/reports, but remember to reference the South West Observatory Environment Module Local Profiles 2011.

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