North Devon Council is inviting residents and businesses to have their say on a new draft Air Quality Strategy, which sets out the council’s approach to maintaining and improving air quality in the district.
Following continued improvements in air quality, the council was required in June 2024 to revoke its Air Quality Management Area (AQMA), after pollutant levels were consistently recorded at more than 10% below government exceedance thresholds.
Although an AQMA is no longer in place, national guidance requires that councils adopt an Air Quality Strategy to maintain oversight and ensure further improvements are made where possible. Since the revocation, North Devon Council have been developing a draft strategy aimed at reducing emissions, increasing public awareness, and integrating clean air considerations into wider policy.
Councillor Ricky Knight, lead member for climate and biodiversity at North Devon Council, said: “The air quality in North Devon is already good by national standards, but we want to build on this success. Our draft strategy identifies areas where we can make a real difference, from transport and domestic burning to industrial emissions and planning policy. We want to hear from our communities, businesses and partners to make sure the strategy reflects local priorities and insight.”
The draft strategy covers six key themes where the council can have the most influence:
- Domestic Burning
- Industrial Emissions
- Transport
- Agriculture
- Indoor Air Quality
- Communicating air quality information
The consultation is open for six weeks, from today (Monday 9 June) until Monday 21 July 2025, and the council is encouraging as many people as possible to review the draft and submit feedback.
The draft strategy and more information on how to respond is available at:
Feedback can also be submitted by:
- Email: consultation@northdevon.gov.uk
- Post: North Devon Council, PO Box 379, Barnstaple, EX32 2GR
- Paper form: Available at the Ilfracombe Centre, the Amory Centre in South Molton, and the new Green Lanes Council Hub in Barnstaple (open from 16 June).
To collect a paper copy, please check the council's website for opening hours of these locations before visiting.
All comments must be received by Monday 21 July 2025 to be considered.
The council will review all responses before finalising the strategy. A revised version, reflecting public and stakeholder input, will then be presented to elected Members for adoption later in the year.