Frequently Asked Questions

There are no by laws or general restrictions on bonfires in the district. If done carefully, the occasional bonfire or barbecue should not cause a major problem, so an outright ban on bonfires would be unreasonable. However, under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, it is an offence to cause a statutory nuisance, and this can include nuisances created by bonfires.

Unfortunately we do not offer an asbestos disposal service.

Construction sites are in the open and are often near existing residential accommodation. Residents will in general accept construction site noise but will complain if work starts early or finishes late or takes place on Saturday afternoon, Sundays or Bank holidays.

If you have collected a stray from outside of the district you should contact the authority where you found the dog, it is not a TDC stray. Do you know who the dog belongs to? Can you take it back to their owner? If you can, that would be appreciated. We're happy to contact the owner afterwards to let them know about the law about straying.

Ownership of drainage can fall to South West Water, Highways or householders themselves, depending on the type and age of the drain.

Some agricultural activities, particularly intensive chicken and livestock housing, may create the right breeding conditions for flies which can then become a nuisance to surrounding properties. Flies can be a statutory nuisance, though this involves locating the source of the problem and the issues giving rise to the problem - it can sometimes be a difficult case to prove. In these situations we will work with farmers to advise on fly management best practice.

Fly-tipping is the illegal disposal of rubbish without a waste management license. Torridge District Council are keen to pursue individuals and companies that are spoiling our beautiful environment through this illegal activity.

There is no formal definition of litter but in practice, litter is most commonly assumed to include materials often associated with smoking, eating and drinking that are discarded and left by members of the public who do not use the proper receptacles such as litter bins.

If you're being affected by persistent noise from a neighbouring property you can report it by filling in a nuisance report form.

Environmental Health is a statutory consultee on planning applications. We review and make recommendations on planning applications, so that potential problems can be identified, prevented or managed with effective planning conditions.

Torridge is a rural district and as such not all homes and business have access to a water supply from South West Water.

Asbestos can be dangerous to human health if it has been disturbed or damaged and must be disposed of safely. The following information can help you understand what to do if you suspect your property is affected by asbestos