A NEW group is being formed to try to save a valuable piece of Dawlish land for the community.

Dawlish Community Land Trust is being set up to give the community a chance to take over running the Newhay.

Popular with dog walkers and a haven for wildlife, the new group is hoping to protect the land for the future.

The move follows an announcement by owners the Diocese of Exeter that the Glebe land is to be marketed for sale or lease.

A meeting is being held on Saturday November 14 to ask residents to support the bid by becoming a Friend of the Newhay.

Town councillor Scott Williams, chairman of the Newhay working group, is working with vice-chairman Cllr Rachel Hardy and a team of volunteers to help secure the site.

Cllr Williams said: ‘The Newhay is a special place for Dawlish.

‘We want to protect it, improve it for wildlife and people, and make sure future generations can enjoy it too.

‘But we need to organise ourselves to give the community the best possible chance of protecting it.’

The Friends of the Newhay, Dawlish Community Land Trust is being registered as a Community Benefit Society.

The Diocese of Exeter is searching for a new occupier following Teignbridge District Council’s decision not to renew its lease.

After talks with Dawlish Town Council, the Diocese has confirmed the next step is to openly market the land for sale or lease ‘in accordance with its legal and charitable obligations’.

The land has been designated an Asset of Community Value which means if a community group comes forward, there will be a moratorium period for the group to come forward with a bid.

The marketing process for the land, which is next to St Gregory’s Church, will provide an opportunity for interested parties, including local authorities, community organisations and private purchasers, to put forward proposals.

Cllr Williams explained: ‘We need people willing to serve on its committee and help make it work.

‘The more local people who support us by registering as Friends of the Newhay, the stronger our community organisation will be.’

Because the land has been registered as an Asset of Community Value, the new trust has until 5pm on November 24 to register an interest and become an official charity.

If the community organisation formally asks to become a potential bidder, this triggers a six-month period during which the owner cannot sell the Newhay to an outside buyer and the community group gets time to develop a proposal, explore funding and prepare a bid.

Cllr Williams added: ‘I believe The Newhay has the potential to become much more than a beautiful green space.

‘It can become a living example of how our community can respond to the climate and nature emergencies while creating something lasting for future generations.

‘I have a funded plan for a proposed combination of native microforests, a community orchard and wildflower meadows designed to deliver benefits for both locals and nature.

‘It is about making the most of what the Newhay already offers, enhancing its natural value and ensuring it remains a place for people, wildlife and future generations.’

The Venerable Andrew Beane, Archdeacon of Exeter, said: ‘The Newhay is glebe land, which is governed by ecclesiastical (Church) law.

‘The Diocese, which is a charity with limited resources, is not in a position to operate a public space.

‘It is a valued green space in Dawlish, and we are keen that it continues to benefit the local community and wildlife.

‘However, the Diocese is obliged under ecclesiastical law to manage the land for best value and cannot dispose of the land for less than open market value.’

Saturday’s meeting is being held at St Gregory’s Church from 1pm to 4pm with a procession starting on The Lawn at 12.30pm.