MORE than 1,200 people have signed a petition in support of keeping a popular Dawlish green space open to the public.

The Newhay, next to St Gregory’s Church, is Glebe land belonging to the Church of England but there is a question mark over its future since Teignbridge Council did not renew its lease of the site.

Tomorrow night, Dawlish Town Council is to discuss a Notice of Motion, submitted by Cllr Rachel Hardy, which is aiming to have the land registered as an Asset of Community Value.

The Notice is also asking councillors to support the all allocation of a budget of up to £12,000 from Community Infrastructure Levy receipts to undertake ‘urgent due diligence to inform future town council decisions in respect of the Newhay’.

There is also a desire to form a group of four town councillors to ‘explore, communicate with the Diocese and consult with the public, with a report back to Town Council for a decision on long-term viability’.

The Save The Newhay petition, started by Betsy Binyon, will be presented to councillors at tomorrow night’s meeting.

It is appealing to keep the Newhay as a public amenity and is asking both Teignbridge and Dawlish councils to find alternative ways of funding the lease so it is not ‘disposed’ of by the Dioceses.

The petition says: ‘This land is a very popular public amenity, that is used by all ages for a number of different activities.

‘It is historically important to the town.

‘Increased house building on outskirts of Dawlish have taken away acres of green space, making the Newhay even more important to protect.

'It offers diverse habitats for native wildlife, as well as a recreational area.

'It offers opportunities for those that cannot drive to connect with nature, promoting physical and mental well being.’

There have been rumours over the last few months that the land had been sold.

In response, the Archdeacon of Exeter said he was ‘happy to confirm the wonderful green space next to St Gregory's Church is Glebe Land owned by the Diocese of Exeter.

He said: ‘We are happy to work with the town council, district council, local church or other community group to find a short term or long term solution to ensuing the space continues to be available for the community.’

Cllr Rosie Dawson, who has supported the Notice of Motion going before the town council, had said the issue was ‘complex’ but the land belongs to the Diocese of Exeter.

Back in January, the town council received a letter from the Diocese of Exeter which requested consideration of the town council taking on a lease of the Dawlish Glebe land (commonly known as the Newhay) as recreational space, either as open space or the possibility of allotment land if feasible, following the non-renewal of the lease previously held by Teignbridge District Council.

At that time, the Diocese stipulated that it would only consider the continued use of the land for recreational purposes if either Teignbridge District Council, or Dawlish Town Council acted as intermediaries and took on the lease themselves.

Options available to the Diocese were either to dispose of the land, or, for Dawlish Town Council to take on a long term lease of the land.

But the town council declined as it had insufficient time to make a decision and taking on the lease had not been in its budget for repair and maintenance.