The High Court has refused Colyton Parish Council’s case to contest the governance review that created Colyford Parish Council.

The court's ruling confirmed that the legal challenge was submitted too late and that the process for reviewing the creation of the Colyford Parish, conducted by East Devon District Council (EDDC), was thorough and entirely legal.

The court ruling also imposed on Colyton Parish Council an £8,967 penalty to support EDDC's legal costs incurred during this case.

The roots of the dispute stem back to Autumn 2021 when a petition with 249 signatures called for the establishment of a separate village council for Colyford.

This was motivated by a desire for recognition of Colyford's "identity and sense of place" distinct from Colyton.

Midweek Herald: The court ruling also imposed on Colyton Parish Council an £8,967 penalty

From February 4 to May 4, 2022, a consultation was held, and 56 per cent of respondents showed support for a new parish council.

The draft proposals were then discussed between August 23 and November 22, 2022, resulting in certain alterations to the proposed parish boundary.

EDDC approved the plan to form the new parish during their full council meeting on December 7, 2022.

The inaugural elections to the Colyford Parish Council were conducted in May 2023.

Councillor Sarah Jackson, EDDC portfolio holder for communications and democracy, said: "I am heartened that the High Court has found the work undertaken by EDDC on the governance and boundary review for Colyton and Colyford was both democratic and legally sound.

"As with any separation, there will always be those unhappy with the outcome."

She added that she empathises with those disappointed by the High Court's decision and hopes this ruling reassures them that the process was carried out appropriately.

Ms Jackson further urged Colyton Parish Council, now that the decision has been confirmed legally sound, to respect the outcome of the Governance Review to avoid putting additional unnecessary burden upon the taxpayer.

She views this as an opportunity for both parishes to progress and looks forward to them finding new ways of working together for the benefit of everyone in the Coly valley.