The seaside village of Bantham, Devon, went up for sale for a reported £11.5m this weekend.
Comprising approximately 750 acres of land and home to over 40 residences, a pub, a harbour, a shop and popular surfing beaches, the village is to change its ownership, having previously been owned by the same family for generations.
Locals are apprehensive of this change particularly with regards to village policies. A resounding concern relates to the current policy of not allowing second homes or rentals to holidaymakers within the village, deriving from the 1920s, and how the community would like this to be maintained.
One resident hopes Bantham will be bought by the National Trust. However, the Trust itself has not confirmed or denied such rumours, merely acknowledging that it is ‘aware’ that the village will be for sale for around £11.5m. It has also revealed that it would need ‘a significant funding appeal’ if it was to takeover, despite its desire to protect the area.
It is expected that the village will be sold fairly quickly as estate agents have confirmed that there has been global interest for this ‘happy community’. Residents hope that the buyer will have family and community values at heart and that their tranquil village will remain undisturbed.