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Council apologises for ‘family silver’ sell-off alarm

Tuesday, 16 June 2026 13:42

By Guy Henderson, Local Democracy Reporter

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A Devon council has apologised for causing unnecessary alarm by publishing a list of the ‘family silver’ it is thinking of selling off.

Teignbridge Council published the list of nine open spaces, saying it intends to dispose of them. Objections and comments must be filed with the council by June 18, and the list was first advertised on May 28.
The assets named in the notices are Cromwell Way, Bovey Tracey; Palace Meadow, Chudleigh; Morningside, Dawlish; Heath Close, Heath Hill, Prince Rupert Way and Naseby Drive, Heathfield; and Ashburton Road and Courtenay Park, Newton Abbot.
Local town and parish councils could take over some of the assets, while others could be sold on the open market.
The unannounced publication of the list prompted a flood of social media comments, including one from a former councillor who described it as ‘selling off the family silver’.
Teignbridge Council, however, has explained that the move is part of a wide-reaching review.
In a statement it said: “The council has been reviewing its property and land portfolio for several years as part of its long-term plans for how it can most effectively run services and use assets for the benefit of the community. These plans are aimed at reducing financial pressure on council services.
“As part of this, the council has been talking with partners, including town and parish councils, about the future of some assets so they can be managed locally where appropriate, or disposed of on the open market.”
The council says it is legally obliged to take out the advertisements and adds: “This is a routine part of the process and helps make sure it is open and transparent.
“We are sorry for any unnecessary alarm caused by the publication of these statutory notices.”
A number of the online comments surrounded Newton Abbot’s Courtenay Park, with claims that it was gifted to the people of the town by the then-Lord Courtenay in Victorian times. However, Teignbridge Council publications say Newton Abbot Urban District Council bought the park from the Earl of Devon in 1897, and it remains in the ownership of the local authority.
 

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