National Trust discuss Devon Village sale

The National Trust is 'actively discussing' the sale of a Devon village set to go on the market for an estimated £11.5 million, reports say.

Bantham village and the accompanying beach , are a popular tourism spot in Mid-Devon  was piut up for sale last November as part of a large parcel of family-owned land known for sale by Evans Estates.

The estate - which also includes land and properties in Wales and Dorset - is expected to sell on the market for around  £35million with £11.5million coming from the sale of Bantham alone.

However the sale also poses a significant development risk to a number of families who live in the small seaside community.

Residents currently lease their homes from Evans Estates and many of the leases have been held by the same family for generations.

But the residents, who were informed of the estate sale last November now face the possibility of eviction from their homes to make way for a larger development.

The fears of development for the village has lead to suggestions that the National Trust may attempt to step in and purchase the land.

The National Trust said it was “aware” the village is now for sale, but a purchase would require “a significant fundraising appeal.”

A spokesperson for the National Trust told the Independent Newspaper it was: "actively discussing what role the Trust could take in helping to protect the area from significant development risk".

The Spokesman continued: “The sale of Bantham beach and village at £11.5 million would be a substantial draw on any money we currently have set aside for caring for what we already own. Any possible purchase would require us to launch a significant fundraising appeal.

“As a charity, the National Trust is dependent on the support of our visitors, donors and of course our 4 million members.

“We sadly cannot save everything at risk and would need huge public support and donations to have any chance of an appeal to save Bantham being a success.”