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Following the sentencing of Garry Braund and Tina Thorne at Exeter County Court, the focus has shifted to the permanent clearance of the Honey Hill site and the recovery of substantial public funds. North Devon Council has confirmed that it is now moving to register legal charges against the land to recoup costs exceeding £30,000, ensuring that the financial burden of the nine-year enforcement battle does not fall on local taxpayers. The site, located in a protected area of open countryside near Snapper, is currently under strict surveillance to ensure the subterranean structure—previously hidden beneath camouflage netting and branches—is decommissioned and not reoccupied.
The next phase of the council's strategy involves a rigorous monitoring programme to prevent any further unauthorised development on the land. While the 42-day prison sentence was suspended for 12 months, the court has made it clear that any attempt to return to the residence or reverse the compliance measures will result in immediate incarceration. Planning officials are now coordinating with environmental teams to oversee the restoration of the natural landscape, which was compromised by the installation of caravans, sheds, and a hazardous vehicle access point on a blind bend.
The complexity of the concealment, discovered during a police-assisted raid in August 2024, has set a new precedent for local enforcement. North Devon Council representatives indicated to journalists that this case serves as a definitive warning to those attempting to bypass the planning system through deception. They emphasised that the scale of the subterranean works raised significant safety and environmental concerns that necessitated the maximum level of legal intervention.
Councillor Malcolm Prowse, lead member for regeneration, economic development, and planning, told journalists that the outcome demonstrated the authority's unwavering commitment to enforcing planning rules. He stated that regulations exist to ensure the natural environment is protected for the benefit of all residents and that the council would continue to take action, even in complex situations, to uphold the system and protect the community.
With the legal charges now being secured against the property, the council is prepared to initiate further proceedings if the outstanding costs are not settled. The couple must now find alternative accommodation and ensure the Honey Hill site remains entirely clear of residential activity. This ruling concludes a persistent period of non-compliance, marking a shift toward more aggressive enforcement of rural planning protections across the region.
The ruling has been hailed as a victory for local residents who had expressed concerns regarding the safety of the unauthorised access point and the impact of the development on the local ecology. Moving forward, the council intends to use this case as a primary example of its ability to uncover and prosecute "hidden" developments, signaling an end to the decade of defiance at Snapper.
