Dawlish Town Council is inviting residents and visitors of the Dawlish Aviary* to take part in a public consultation on its future.
Following the bird flu outbreak in 2025, which resulted in the closure of the Dawlish Waterfowl Aviary, Dawlish Town Council is seeking views on how the aviary site should be developed in the future.
The consultation will open on Thursday 1 October 2026 and will run for three weeks, closing on Wednesday 21 October 2026.
The Council is committed to ensuring that any future development is sustainable, educational and beneficial to the community, while recognising the importance of the aviary as a valued part of Dawlish’s identity. Residents and visitors are being asked to consider three options and indicate which they would prefer.
*An aviary is a special enclosure for birds. It provides a safe and suitable environment for birds to live and allows visitors to observe and learn about them. Aviaries can support wildlife conservation, education and recreation.
The Three Options
Option 1: An Ornamental Waterfowl Aviary
Rebuild the aviary to house ornamental waterfowl, preserving Dawlish’s historic attraction while providing opportunities for visitors to observe and learn about different species.
A modern, welfare-focused enclosure would maintain the town’s long-standing connection with waterfowl, supporting education and tourism whilst providing educational opportunities for visitors and school.
Option 2: A UK Conservation Breed Aviary
Transform the aviary into a conservation-focused facility, breeding and displaying rare and endangered British waterfowl breeds while helping to preserve the nation’s natural heritage.
The facility would provide unique educational opportunities for visitors and schools, supporting conservation efforts and raising awareness of the importance of protecting rare breeds and genetic diversity.
Option 3: An Educational Centre (No Birds or Animals)
Replace the aviary with an educational and interpretation centre focused on Dawlish’s history, wildlife, conservation, biosecurity and waterfowl heritage, without keeping live birds.
The centre would provide a flexible year-round space for exhibitions, workshops and school visits.
How to Take Part
The survey can be completed online via Microsoft Forms or by scanning the QR code featured on consultation materials.
The consultation will take approximately five minutes to complete. Participants may leave the survey at any time.
Hard copies of the consultation survey are available from:
The Manor House, Dawlish
Dawlish Library
The Strand Centre, Dawlish
The Hope Church, Dawlish
Presents of Dawlish
Have Your Say
Dawlish Town Council encourages everyone with an interest in the future of the aviary to take part.
Feedback received through the consultation will help inform future decisions regarding the redevelopment of this important community asset.
The consultation opened on 1 October 2026 and closes on 21 October 2026.
For more information and to complete the survey, scan the QR code shown on the left of this news article or visit:

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