Questions raised as Teignbridge reviews parks and green spaces for disposal
A number of open spaces in Bovey Tracey, Chudleigh and Newton Abbot have been included in a council review, prompting public concern and debate
Residents across Teignbridge have raised concerns after the council published notices relating to several parks, green spaces and community assets under review.
A Devon council has apologised for causing unnecessary alarm after publishing a list of the "family silver" it is considering selling off.
Teignbridge District Council published a list of nine open spaces which it says could be disposed of. Objections and comments must be submitted to the council by 18 June.
The notices were first advertised on 28 May.
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 publication of the list prompted a flood of social media comments, including one from a former councillor who described the move as "selling off the family silver".
Teignbridge Council, however, has said the move is part of a wider review of its property and land portfolio.
In a statement, the council 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 said it is legally required to publish the advertisements and added: "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 focused on 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 state that 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.