ASHBURTON Town Council has formally asked Teignbridge District Council to transfer ownership and management of Kingsbridge Lane Car Park following months of public consultation and community engagement.

The request follows a commitment by the council to respond to concerns raised by residents about the future of local assets and services.

In a letter to Teignbridge District Council, town council Chair, Cllr Lucy Wood, said the proposal was the result of an extensive programme of work carried out over recent months.

This included three meetings of the council's Asset Working Group, where members examined the opportunities and challenges surrounding asset transfers, the long-term sustainability of town assets and the role Kingsbridge Lane Car Park could play in supporting local services.

The council also held two public open days to gather residents' views on the future management of community assets.

The events were well attended and generated significant discussion and feedback from people across the town.

To widen participation, a public questionnaire was distributed, attracting more than 300 responses.

Councillors said the feedback from both the open days and the survey had been carefully reviewed and helped shape the formal proposal submitted to the district council.

The consultation process revealed strong support for local ownership and management of the car park.

Residents also expressed a desire for revenue generated by the facility to remain within Ashburton and be reinvested in community projects, services and facilities.

In its submission, the town council argues that local stewardship of the car park would deliver economic, social and environmental benefits for the town, while strengthening democratic accountability.

The council believes that ownership of the asset would also contribute to the long-term sustainability of local services and community infrastructure.

Ashburton Town Council has now requested that Teignbridge District Council enter into discussions over the transfer and says it is keen to engage positively with district council officers and members.

The authority has indicated that it would welcome an opportunity to discuss the proposal further at the earliest opportunity as it seeks to secure the future of one of the town's key public assets.