Road Closure and Cross Hotel, Copplestone Update

Update as of 27/01/2026

Contractors are planning to begin phase two of the demolition work in early in February.  This work will involve the use of haulage vehicles and heavy plant machinery to remove waste from the site. There could be some traffic disruption around the building, but it is likely to be minimal and at this stage there are no plans for a road closure.

Councillor Steve Keable, Cabinet Member for Planning & Economic Regeneration, said: “We are hopeful this will be the final stage in a lengthy process which has caused significant disruption in the village. We appreciate the patience of residents and local businesses and would like to reassure people that the district and county councils will continue to work closely with the property owners and contractors to ensure the final work is completed safely and responsibly.”

Update as of 01/09/2025

Party Wall Surveyors are currently considering how further demolition works would affect neighbouring buildings to determine what protections need to be put in place, and the Bewsley Hill road closure remains in place until it is deemed safe to reopen. Future work and progress is a matter for the two private parties to resolve. The next stages cannot be considered until such an agreement is in-place.

Devon County Council Highways have surveyed the Bewsley Hill road approach to Copplestone and maintenance works have been included in a future programme.

Mid Devon District Council continues to monitor progress of works closely and will provide further updates as required.

Previous updates can be viewed in our prior new item.

Mid Devon District Council’s building control and legal teams are continuing work to secure demolition of the Cross Hotel, and allow the A377 in Copplestone to reopen, while giving the owners of the property further time to make the site safe.

In April the Council issued a letter to the building’s owners, under Section 77 of the Building Act 1984, requiring them to take action to demolish the building and make the site safe. The owners of the building also applied for a demolition notice themselves.

The action taken by the Council followed a structural survey of the property which found the building to be defective and unsafe and required an emergency road and footpath closure to be put in place to ensure the safety of drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

While the initial six-week period for demolition work to begin has lapsed, the owners have shown a clear intent to make the site safe and have consulted a number of professionals to support the demolition work, including completing some preparatory internal works. If the owners fail to undertake the next necessary steps, the Council is committed to progressing court action, but at this stage must allow the owners full opportunity to complete the works themselves.

The impact of the road closure on Copplestone and surrounding communities is not underestimated and, whilst it is not possible to say how long the road closure will need to stay in effect at this time, the Council will continue to work with Devon County Council to lift the road closure as soon as it is safe to do so.

Any businesses which feel they are being affected by the ongoing road closure can contact Mid Devon District Council’s business rates team to discuss options available to them. Please call 01884 255 255 or email revenues@middevon.gov.uk.