A national land management charity has been given the job of looking after Dawlish Countryside Park.

Teignbridge District Council says the agreement with the Land Trust will secure the long-term future of the award-winning public space and remove any threat of redevelopment.

It has awarded a 999-year lease to the Land Trust to deliver the long term goals of Dawlish Countryside Park.

The Trust's vision is to improve people's quality of life 'by creating sustainable, high quality green spaces that deliver environmental, social and economic benefits'.

Local residents and community groups will be encouraged to get involved with the Land Trust as it works to support the park's biodiversity and wildlife habitats.

The charity has been involved with Dawlish Countryside Park since 2016 when it was appointed to produce the site's Master Plan.

The land for the Countryside Park was purchased with money from developers across Teignbridge, Exeter and East Devon through the South East Devon Habitat Regulations Executive Committee (www.southeastdevonwildlife.org.uk). This partnership of Teignbridge, East Devon District and Exeter City Councils is legally required to protect key conservation sites at Dawlish Warren and the Exe Estuary by providing visitors with alternative places to visit.

Executive Member for Planning, Cllr Gary Taylor, said: "This is a first class, value for money arrangement which will ensure people can enjoy Dawlish Countryside Park into the next millennium and removes any threat of redevelopment.

"It means that the vital Habitat Regulations will continue to be met and that existing and new planted trees and habitats are protected for the long-term benefit of visitors and the environment."

Greenspace rangers will continue their work

Executive Member for Sport, Recreation and Culture, Cllr Andrew MacGregor, added: "Our greenspace rangers have an excellent knowledge of the site and will be appointed by the Land Trust to continue delivering their expertise, helping to maintain this wonderful asset for the next ten years and hopefully for longer providing they continue to offer best value.

"This really is a fantastic outcome for staff, residents, visitors, the Council and especially the environment and the beautiful wildlife at the Park. I am delighted we have reached such a positive agreement".

The Land Trust's chief executive, Euan Hall, said: ""Well managed green spaces play a particularly important role in protecting people's physical and mental wellbeing and we have seen over the last year what an important role they play in people's lives.

"We are delighted to be taking over the long-term management of Dawlish Countryside Park, which is already delivering a wide range of benefits to the community who live and work around this green space.

"For the foreseeable future we'll be working hard to ensure that Dawlish continues to provide a vital service to the people it serves and create significant economic and social value for the local area."

The district council said the Land Trust has a wealth of experience and an impressive track record of managing major green spaces.

It said the Land Trust's work at the Countryside Park will secure the long-term ecosystem services such as carbon storage, flood relief and pollinator habitats and support the health and wellbeing of local communities and visitors. Better investment returns on the endowment and economies of scale are likely to be secured via the Land Trust's existing investment portfolio and the contractual arrangements provide robust safeguards.

For more information on the Land Trust, visit its website