The woodland at the entrance to the Berry, Salcombe has been earmarked for “key worker housing” by South Hams District Council.

Salcombe Town Council is currently considering an offer from SHDC to transfer four pieces of land: The Berry (excluding the wooded entrance identified as ‘plot A’); Courtenay Park; Cliff House Gardens; and New Cross Gardens.

A spokesman for SHDC said: “Our members have agreed to look at the disposal of ‘plot A’ to support key worker housing in areas of high need, such as Salcombe. For any reason, should this change, the council would be happy to offer the land to the town council.”

The offer is the focus of intense debate in the town, as Salcombe Town Council and residents try to work out whether or not it’s a bum deal.

At a Salcombe Town Council meeting on Wednesday, July 12, it was agreed to seek advice from the council’s solicitors; request details from SHDC of maintenance costs associated with the land (excluding the Berry, which is currently maintained by the town council); and also request structural surveys of the sea wall and the Courtenay Park steps.

Town mayor Cllr Mike Fice said it would be “prudent” for the council to commission independent assessments as well. “But I can’t see anything happening until September now, with the summer recess,” Cllr Fice added.

At a Salcombe Town Council meeting on Wednesday, July 12, Cllr Fice said: “I don’t think we should take assets without some guarantee of future income. But it’s important not to muck this up and lose The Berry - this is what the town desperately wants.”

Cllr Fice continued: “We can’t stand by and allow any development on The Berry on ‘plot A’. The woodland forms the entrance to the Berry’s, it’s such an iconic piece of the land.

A spokesperson for South Hams District Council, said: “The reason any transfer is being discussed, is because the town council actively sought to take ownership of the Berry and other areas. There is now an agreement in principle by both parties. “Should one party or the other wish to amend this in the future, we will be happy to have that conversation.

“Salcombe Town Council suggested that we included a few other areas than we had originally considered, but should they wish to change their minds on this, we would be happy to discuss it. The principle is that we do everything by agreement and we recognise that the town council will now want to consult the town.

“The Berry is currently leased to the town council, who maintain it, therefore we do not have a maintenance budget for this. The basis on which any land transfer is being discussed includes no payment from either party.

“The Cliff House Garden sea wall has regular visual inspections by our localities team who would call on the services of our engineering team were they needed. We are currently not aware of any structural issues with the wall, but we have had to undertake maintenance over the years.”

The SHDC executive approved the transfer of the land last week, and the offer is on the agenda for further discussion at their full council meeting at Follaton House on Thursday, July 27 at 2pm.

The final Salcombe Town Council meeting before the summer recess will be held at Cliff House on Wednesday, July 26 at 6.30pm.