At a meeting of the Mid Devon District Council, councillors discussed concerns about anaerobic digester plants, the financial risks of property purchases from 3 Rivers, and the appointment of a representative to the Tiverton Museum. A motion regarding anaerobic digester plants was referred to the Planning, Environment and Sustainability Policy Development Group for review. Councillor Gwen Duchesne MBE was appointed as the Council's representative on the Tiverton Museum.

Anaerobic Digester Plants

Several members of the public raised concerns about anaerobic digestion plants (AD plants) in Mid Devon. Sarah Coffin questioned whether democracy was being throttled if the council did not have the funds or staff to respond to Motion 608, which addresses AD plants. She also asked about the use of Section 106 agreements¹ to ensure compliance with planning conditions for AD plants and other large projects. Paul Elstone referenced questions raised at the Planning, Environment and Sustainability Policy Development Group meeting the previous evening, regarding planning breaches and climate/net zero policy related to farm-led AD plants.

In response to these concerns, the council decided to refer Motion 608, regarding Anaerobic Digestor Plants, to the Planning, Environment and Sustainability Policy Development Group for review. The motion notes that the contribution of AD plants to reducing greenhouse gas emissions is highly variable and that they do not necessarily constitute sustainable development . The motion asks the council to support the preparation of a supplementary planning document outlining the conditions under which further applications for AD plants would be acceptable.

Councillor Gill Westcott moved an amendment, which was seconded by Councillor Beckett Fish, to refer the motion to the Planning, Environment and Sustainability Policy Development Group for review before it came back to the full council. The amendment was carried.

Financial Risks of 3 Rivers Property Purchases

Paul Elstone raised several questions about the council's purchase of properties from 3 Rivers, a local housing developer, at Haddon Heights in Bampton and St Georges Court. He stated that the decision to remove the Reputation Risk relating to the failure of 3 Rivers from the Corporate Risk Register was made with a commitment to provide regular updates to Audit on any remaining reputation risk, but that this was not happening.

Elstone asked why Seddon's Estate Agents had stopped marketing the five unsold properties at Haddon Heights in July 2025, and whether the properties were currently being marketed. He also inquired about the installation of fire block cladding to the ceilings of the car ports in six of the nine properties at Haddon Heights, and why only six properties were fixed.

Elstone claimed that the council had lost at least £520,000 since purchasing the Haddon Heights properties, and asked why the status of the assets bought from 3 Rivers was not being reported as promised. He also asked how many of the 28 flats at St Georges Court were occupied, and whether the council had ever paid council tax on the flats.

Appointment to Outside Bodies

The council agreed to appoint Councillor Gwen Duchesne MBE as its representative on the Tiverton Museum. Councillor Frances Colthorpe declared that she was a Trustee of the museum and abstained from voting.