Where are we now?
We are nearing the end of a six-month Asset of Community Value moratorium. The briefing identifies three organisations that initially expressed interest: Phoenix TEK Services CIC, NDP Circus and Ethical Sustainable Properties CIC.
From 20 November 2026, Education South West can market the land openly. The group is asking ESW to engage with the community and provide information about the value of the land, access to sporting facilities, any replacement provision and what would make a community-led offer credible.
Who are we?
Friends of Lower Field is a group of local residents formed in summer 2026 after signs were put up restricting access. The group follows earlier local campaigns and aims to establish the facts, document public use and ensure the community is represented in decisions about the site.
Our position on a sale
The group is not opposed to a sale in principle. It recognises the school’s need for investment and Totnes’s need for affordable housing, while arguing that the future of Lower Field should be decided with meaningful community involvement and protections for community use.
What are we doing?
- Keeping residents informed through gatherings, updates and public engagement.
- Seeking constructive discussions with Education South West.
- Working with councillors, the MP and people with relevant expertise.
- Collecting historical public-access information and exploring possible rights-of-way applications.
- Investigating ownership, disposal terms and shared-use agreements.
- Exploring community-led ownership or management possibilities.
- Making representations through the Joint Local Plan process.
History and supporting documents
The original briefing includes a site chronology from the 1930s to 2026 and a map showing parcels E and F1. We have reproduced a shorter chronology on the What We Know page.
For source material already available on this website, see the document archive, or the frequently asked questions.