People who want to build their own home will be able to turn to their council to make their dream a reality, under measures announced by Nick Boles yesterday (2 July).

The Planning Minister said he would give aspiring self and custom builders a new Right to Build, which would enable them to ask their council to identify a shovel-ready site for their project.

Prospective self and custom builders will be able to register their interest with the local council, who will then be required to offer suitable serviced plots for sale at market value.

Teignbridge Council in...

There will be no smoke without fire at the third annual Powderham Food Festival.

It’s Autumn: think fire, succulent barbequed meat, hot chestnuts, slow-cooked pulled pork, roasted pumpkins, fish baked in corn husks, clams scattered onto hot coals, sizzling mussels, ravishing ribs. Outdoor cooking over traditional fire all served up in the beautiful surroundings of Powderham Castle.

Barbecue cooking is taking Britain by storm – chefs all over UK are installing fire pits in their kitchens, giving customers a simple but delicious alternative to more complicated offerings....

Four colleagues from Exeter property and asset consultants, ES Group, have completed the gruelling National Three Peaks Challenge, raising money for chosen charity, Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).

The 25 mile challenge, which involves scaling the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales – an ascent in excess of 10,000 feet – within 24 hours, was completed in a time of 23 hours and seven minutes by Gary Hooper, Jason Hall, Matthew Hartley and Philip Gibson, all from ES Group’s Exeter office.

The team has already raised over £1,850 and hopes to raise still more...

Security is being stepped up at all British airports after United States officials raised fears that terrorists in Syria and Yemen are working together to develop explosives, which could be smuggled onto planes.

The Department for Transport said the extra security measures were not expected to cause "significant disruption" to passengers.

A spokesman for the DFT said: "The UK Government keeps aviation security under constant review in conjunction with international partners and the aviation industry.

“We have taken the decision to step up some of our aviation...

A police community support officer has been praised by a father after he dramatically stopped a car, with a baby girl inside, from rolling down a hill in St Agnes.

PCSO Richard Hill (pictured) was parked nearby when he saw what he thought was an empty convertible rolling backwards down the slipway towards the beach at Trevaunance Cove.

He saw a man frantically trying to stop the Audi A3 from rolling but the car was gathering pace, heading towards a number of pedestrians who would not have had chance to avoid the car.

He quickly drove his marked police car into the...

Cornwall will benefit from a multi-million pound package of rail improvements that will lift the local economy, create new jobs and provide faster train journeys, the Prime Minister announced today (3 July).

The £146.6 million deal has tourism at its core. Passengers travelling by sleeper train into the county will be able to start their holiday relaxing in newly refurbished carriages.

The deal will ensure:

• the interior of the Night Riviera Sleeper trains, which run between Penzance and London - one of only two sleeper services in the UK - will be completely
...

On the 18 July 2014, Exeter-based Optix Solutions celebrates a very special birthday.

The brainchild of Exeter University alumni and entrepreneurs Alastair Banks and James Dawkins, Optix Solutions specialises in delivering unrivalled web design and creative digital marketing solutions to clients across the country.

Optix Solutions is now 15 years old, and business has never been better.

Optix Solutions has come a long way since its conception in 1999. Having identified a gaping hole in the market, Alastair and James set out to offer a service focusing on the...

Police are asking for the public’s help to trace a 39-year-old missing man believed to be in Ilfracombe. Officers are extremely concerned for the welfare of Nicholas Le Corre who is thought to have visited St Philip and St James Church sometime during the night. Police believe he may be visiting local churches and beauty spots and the public are asked to report any sightings to police. Local police units, including the Force helicopter and dog unit, are currently searching for Mr Le Corre in Ilfracombe and the surrounding area. It is believed Nicholas is originally from the Liskeard and...

People in the parish of Broadclyst have had their say on how to spend money on outdoor sports in the town - and they've opted to support a broad range of very different schemes.

In a joint project run between Broadclyst Parish Council and East Devon District Council, residents voted on how they would like £11,800 to be spent on outdoor sports in the community. Well over 100 Broadclyst residents took part in the voting.

The funding for these projects (Section 106 money) is available as a result of a number of housing developments in Broadclyst. Section 106 money is collected...