KEVICC · 2021
School land disposal consultation
The school's original consultation paper setting out the proposed estate changes and land disposals.
Link: KEVICC (PDF)
Open the original consultation PDF →Land sale and disposal
Original source documents and records relating to the sale of land at KEVICC. Historic documents describe proposals as they stood at the time, which may differ from the present sale.
Why This Field? · July 2022
Report on the WTF and KEVICC public consultations
Dr Kevin Burchell's 19-page report discusses the 2022 public survey (588 responses) and assesses KEVICC's 2021 consultation.
Link: Friends of Lower Field (PDF, 19 pages)
Read the WTF consultation report PDF →Department for Education · February 2025
School land disposal decision
The official register records the Department for Education's approval of Education South West's land disposal application. This is a published summary, not the full approval documentation.
Link: GOV.UK (Source page)
Read the official decision register →KEVICC · Site plan
KEVICC plan of parcels A, E and F(1)
Plan identifying the Sheep Field (A), Elmhirst buildings and land (E), and part of Lower School Field (F1).
Link: KEVICC website (image)
View KEVICC site plan →KEVICC / Education South West
Current school land sale statement
The school's published explanation of the disposal, its intended use of sale proceeds and its position on the retained sports facilities.
Link: KEVICC (Source page)
Read the school's statement →KEVICC · Historic consultation
Assessment of College Land Need and Areas Surplus to Requirements
Explains the school's historic assessment of accommodation requirements and the reasons given for considering land surplus.
Link: KEVICC (Source page)
Read the assessment →KEVICC · Site maps
Plans of land parcels A to G
Maps identifying the areas considered for potential disposal and those proposed to be retained.
These plans may include copyrighted mapping and drawings. We do not reproduce the documents here; you can view them via the linked KEVICC source.
Link: KEVICC (Source page)
View the original plans →KEVICC · Historic consultation
Description of land identified for possible disposal
The school's parcel-by-parcel description, including proposals for F2 and G, community management and possible relocation of parking and changing facilities.
Link: KEVICC (Source page)
Read the original description →Original source documents and records relating to the sale of land at KEVICC. Historic documents describe proposals as they stood at the time, which may differ from the present sale.
Ownership and historical records
Background sources about land ownership, historic decisions and previous proposals. Some Land Registry documents are available only through the official register.
HM Land Registry · title DN670050
Ownership register and title plan
Land Registry title documents identifying registered ownership and interests in the land.
Copyright and reuse restrictions apply to HM Land Registry title documents. We cannot republish the copy here; you can obtain it yourself through the official search service.
Link: GOV.UK (Land Registry search page)
Open source →Totnes Town Council · October 2023
Town Council meeting papers
Published full-council papers including a reference to the Elmhirst project.
Link: Totnes Town Council (PDF)
Open source →Sport, recreation and community access
Agreements, strategies and policies concerning KEVICC sports facilities, community use, access and replacement provision.
KEVICC and South Hams District Council · 2018
All-weather pitch Community Use Agreement
The agreement covers community use of the artificial grass pitch, including changing rooms, toilets, showers, parking and access hours. It forms part of the planning records relating to permission 1498/16/FUL and application 1766/18/ARC.
Documents downloaded from the council’s planning register are subject to its copyright and reuse notice. We do not republish the agreement here; you can consult it directly through the linked planning record.
Link: South Hams District Council (Planning register entry)
Open source →South Hams and West Devon Councils · March 2022
Playing Pitch Strategy
Official strategy for playing pitches across South Hams and West Devon, including specific discussion of KEVICC and Totnes.
Link: Devon County Council (PDF)
Open source →South Hams and West Devon Councils · March 2022
Playing Pitch Strategy: Action Plans
Site-by-site recommendations. The KEVICC Elmhirst site is listed under Totnes as SH.135, including the pitch, changing facilities and community access.
Link: Devon County Council (PDF)
Open source →Sport England · December 2021
Playing Fields Policy and Guidance
Sport England's guidance on proposals affecting playing fields and how it assesses applications.
Link: Sport England (Source page)
Open source →Totnes Town Council · Evidence base
Totnes Open Space, Sport, Recreation and Wellbeing
Town Council’s Open Space, Sport, Recreation and Wellbeing Plan 2024–2029, including identified recreational facilities, shortfalls and opportunities for improvement.
Link: Totnes Town Council (PDF)
Open source →Devon County Council
Public rights of way and landowner statements guidance
Explains the official registers for landowner statements and public rights of way.
Link: Devon County Council (Register or guidance page)
Open source →Planning and public rights of way
The planning policies, official maps and landowner documents relevant to future development and public access at Lower Field.
Plymouth, South Hams and West Devon Councils · 2019
Adopted Joint Local Plan
The adopted local planning framework, including Policy TTV20, DEV3 and DEV4. The official page also provides the South Hams policies map.
Link: GOV.UK (Source page)
Open source →Joint Local Plan · Policy TTV20
Land at KEVICC: development allocation
Site-specific policy allocating land for residential-led development and addressing the all-weather pitch, public riverside space with continuous access, walking and cycling links, and environmental safeguards.
Link: Joint Local Plan website (Source page)
Open source →Totnes Town Council · adopted November 2023
Totnes Neighbourhood Plan
Adopted plan for Totnes, including policies concerning KEVICC, open space, community facilities and the River Dart.
Link: Totnes Town Council (PDF)
Open source →Education South West · May 2026
Landowner statement and application (CA16)
Education South West's statement under section 31(6) of the Highways Act 1980 and section 15A(1) of the Commons Act 2006, together with maps of the land concerned.
Link: Devon County Council (Register or guidance page)
Open source →Education South West · May 2026
Subsequent section 31(6) landowner declaration
Separate declaration referring to the statement deposited on 20 May 2026 and the accompanying plans.
Link: Devon County Council (Register or guidance page)
Open source →Devon County Council
Definitive Map and public rights of way
Devon County Council's official record of public rights of way.
Link: Devon County Council (Interactive map)
Open source →Plymouth, South Hams and West Devon Councils · 2020
Joint Local Plan Supplementary Planning Document
Adopted guidance explaining how the Joint Local Plan policies are applied, including requirements for development and planning obligations.
Link: GOV.UK (Source page)
Open source →Department for Education · March 2026
Involving the Secretary of State in land transactions
Current government guidance explaining consent and notification requirements for transactions involving school land.
Link: GOV.UK (Source page)
Open source →Community right to bid
South Hams District Council · May 2026
Community Right to Bid Moratorium Notice
The existing website transcription of the official disposal notice and moratorium dates.
Link: Friends of Lower Field website (Website page)
Open source → · Official notice PDF →Community ownership and previous campaigns
Official records and published accounts of efforts to protect Lower Field and explore community ownership.
South Hams District Council · November 2021
Asset of Community Value listing
The official council list records the KEVICC lower site, nominated by Totnes Town Council on 3 September 2021 and listed on 5 November 2021.
Link: GOV.UK (PDF)
Open source →Totnes Town Council · April 2022
£2.5 million offer for the Lower School site
Original Town Council announcement of its formal offer to purchase the Elmhirst building and adjoining fields for community use.
Link: Totnes Town Council (Source page)
Open source →Why This Field? campaign · 2022
Public campaign and consultation
The earlier Why This Field? campaign's published account of its aims and support for a community purchase.
Link: GoFundMe (Source page)
Open source →Local press · August 2022
Report on the 2022 community consultation
Contemporary coverage of Why This Field?'s report challenging aspects of the school's consultation and presenting findings from its own survey.
Link: Totnes Today (Source page)
Open source →Totnes Pulse · June 2022
Public meeting and the earlier campaign
A contemporary account of a KEVICC Lower Field public meeting and the arguments being made about community ownership.
Link: The Totnes Pulse (Source page)
Open source →Totnes Pulse · September 2024
What’s happening with the Lower Field?
Retrospective reporting on the previous campaign, the stalled sale and the change in school trust ownership.
Link: The Totnes Pulse (Source page)
Open source →News, public statements and campaign history
Public announcements and contemporary reporting about the current Lower Field sale and community campaign. Articles are linked to their publishers; reporting and opinion are identified separately from official statements.
Education South West · 21 May 2026 · Public statement
ESW confirms the proposed land sale
Education South West's published statement, reproduced in The Totnes Pulse, describes the disposal approval, proposed school investment and its position on retained sports facilities.
Link: The Totnes Pulse (Source page)
Open source →The Totnes Pulse · 4 June 2026 · News report
That KEVICC Field again
Reports Totnes Town Council's decision not to enter the 2026 community bidding process and explains the opportunity for other eligible groups.
Link: The Totnes Pulse (Source page)
Open source →The Totnes Pulse · 20 August 2026 · Perspective
A Sign of the Times?
Opinion article about the new signs, the landowner's highways application and public-access concerns.
Link: The Totnes Pulse (Source page)
Open source →The Totnes Pulse · 18 September 2026 · Campaign history
Saving the Lower Field (Again x 3)
Looks back at earlier campaigns and introduces the latest Friends of Lower Field campaign.
Link: The Totnes Pulse (Source page)
Open source →The Totnes Pulse · 22 September 2026 · News report
Campaign calls for Totnes' playing fields to stay open
Contemporary coverage of Friends of Lower Field, informal community use, the booking system and the campaign's request for public participation.
Link: The Totnes Pulse (Source page)
Open source →The Totnes Pulse · 27 September 2026 · Opinion
Lower Field, KEVICC and the value of shared space
Opinion piece examining the value of unrestricted recreation alongside the school's stated need for investment.
Link: The Totnes Pulse (Source page)
Open source →The Totnes Pulse · 12 October 2026 · News and school statement
KEVICC announces public meeting on land sale
Reports the school's invitation to an open meeting on 10 November 2026, including statements from KEVICC and Education South West about future investment and community access.
Link: The Totnes Pulse (Source page)
Open source →Campaign briefings
Friends of Lower Field · 13 October 2026
October 2026 public briefing
A dated overview of the land sale, community involvement and the group's work and history.
Link: Friends of Lower Field website (Website page)
Open source →