Property photos
Non quoting
Leisure/hospitality to let
Keyberry Park, Newton Abbot TQ12479,160 sq. ft
Available from 1 November 2025
Local area information
Property location
Nearby amenities
- Decoy Primary School 0.2 miles
- Newton Abbot 0.6 miles
- Wolborough Church of England (Aided) Nursery and Primary School 0.7 miles
- Torre 4.1 miles
These distances are calculated in a straight line. The actual route and distance may vary.
Read our area guide for Newton Abbot to find out more about the local area.
Features and description
- Unfurnished
Introduction
Teignbridge District Council is offering a concession opportunity at Decoy Country Park & Local Nature Reserve in Newton Abbot for a range of specified watersports activities. This concession would involve operating watersports activities within a demarcated central zone of the Country Park's 11 acre freshwater lake.
The interest would be granted by way of six-year licence agreement to the successful bidder.
Location
Decoy Country Park is situated on the southern edge of Newton Abbot, see map. It is within easy reach of the town centre and a short distance from the A380 and from the railway station.
Description
Decoy Country Park covers some 43 acres and includes areas of mature woodland with extensive woodland trails, sports pitches and a very popular children’s play area. It is centred upon a 11 acre former clay pit, long since naturalised, and now home to a wealth of wildlife.
Decoy Country Park is also a Local Nature Reserve and its wildlife, especially wildfowl including ducks, Mute Swans and Great Crested Grebes, are a great source of pleasure and amenity to visitors.
Decoy has been one of the Council’s key recreational destinations for many years, and the number of visitors has been increasing year upon year. The Country Park & Local Nature Reserve has regional importance, drawing regular visitors from the whole District, as well as from Torbay, Exeter, Plymouth and beyond.
The quality of the visitor experience has been acknowledged with the awarding of Green Flag status for many years.
General Terms
1. As stated Decoy Country Park is also a Local Nature Reserve. For that reason, as well as the provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which make it an offence to disturb nesting birds, great care must be taken to safeguard their welfare. This must include.
Keeping water sports activities out of the protective exclusion zone around the margin. This wildfowl refuge margin will be adjusted slightly in two places to compensate for the overhanging vegetation, not indicated upon the base map, in order to avoid possible pinch points, and the boundary will be clearly marked with coloured buoys.
Being watchful for and not taking any craft towards the Swans, their cygnets, Grebes and their young or any other waterfowl. This instruction to be given to staff and participants, compliance requested as a condition of taking part and enforced.
Swimming on the lake is not permitted, and participants are to be reminded of this. Should they accidentally fall from craft they must board again immediately. This is important for safety (head counts) as well as avoidance of disturbance to wildlife and not undermining prohibitions on other youngsters entering the lake.
Careful consideration must be given as to whether it is necessary for a safety boat to be powered or whether a human powered craft would be sufficient. If a case is made for a powered boat, it must only ever be used in a safety capacity. It must not be used as a recreational tool through giving rides or being used to generate wake for kayakers, as this would add disturbance to nesting wildfowl.
Except in an emergency the safety boat must be ‘driven’ slowly and not exceed 4 knots and ideally the craft fitted with a device recording maximum speed.
2. The Licensee is to provide all their own craft and equipment and ensure that it is appropriate to the task and in good, safe, working order with a regular checking regime.
3. The Licensee must demonstrate a fitness to provide this public recreational provision at Decoy Country Park in the following ways.
• Evidencing extent of appropriate experience of comparable work for all staff delivering service to the public.
• Evidence current aals registration
• Evidencing appropriate and current training and qualifications in use of watersports craft and in instruction of the public in watersports, first aid and safeguarding and any other elements necessary in safely delivering the concession. Accreditation under Adventuremark would be welcomed.
• Evidencing risk assessments and safe working practices to include all water sports provided but also safeguarding and natural factors such as risks from wildfowl, Blue Green algae, Weill’s Disease and weather (for example never being on the water if electrical storms are forecast).
• Evidencing equipment safety certificates for water-based concessions and regular inspection regime.
• Evidencing the necessary 10 million pounds (per incident) cover for Public Liability for the activities provided.
4. Extent
• The concession period would be from 1st May to the 30th September.
• The maximum number of craft on the lake shall be limited to 20 craft at any one time for public assemblages comprising families and individuals or 35 at any one time for school bookings, including instructors. These to be mutually exclusive.
• If any further hours are proposed the maximum extent of these to be discussed and agreed in advance of the license signing. The purpose is to avoid an increase of impact as compared with previous seasons.
• The maximum daily extent would be 8 hours, between the hours of 8 a.m. And 9 p.m. Or dusk (whichever is the earlier).
5. The operator must comply with the Council’s Byelaws and Regulations for the time being in force which must not be infringed.
6. The operator has, at times, informally occupied part of the short grassy bank to the northern edge of the slipway. Care must be taken not to displace or occupy areas being used for grazing or resting by the resident Swans and their cygnets and should not, at any rate, extend more than a few metres from the slipway.
7. Use of two of the changing rooms equipped with central heating and associated showers and toilets shall be included within the licence.
8. The amount and location of advertising signage shall be limited and agreed in advance so as not to interfere with the visibility and impact of other signage for Country Park visitors.
9. The operator shall indemnify and keep indemnified the Council from all liability in respect of loss, damage, actions, proceedings, suits, claims, demands, costs, damages, liability and expenses in respect of any damage or injury to any person or property by reason of or arising in any way directly or indirectly from the Tenants use of the site, and take out and maintain third party insurance for all loss or damage however caused.
10. The operator shall not be permitted to assign, sublet or in any way transfer the benefit of the Licence.
11. The Council may terminate the Licence on one month’s notice or with immediate effect in writing upon breach of the operator’s obligations under the terms of this license or on any attempted or purported assignment of the rights granted by the Licence.
Planning
The operator shall be responsible for obtaining any necessary planning consent or other statutory approval which may at any time become necessary for their intended use.
The operator is encouraged to make enquiries with Teignbridge District Council’s Planning Department prior to the commencement of the Licence to ascertain whether or not planning consent will be necessary.
Tenders
Offers from interested parties are sought by 2pm on Tuesday 14th October 2025 by way of a sealed informal tender, using the attached Expression of Interest Form. The Offer should include:
• Completed tender form;
• A workable business plan, a clear product offer and sound financial planning
• Copies of relevant documents such as Safety Certificates, Public Liability and employer’s liability Insurance certificates etc.
• Evidence of suitability as described.
Parking
Whilst there is no dedicated parking with the site one vehicle may be parked with care to the side of the access track behind the pavilion so as not to impede emergency vehicle access to the slipway or Blue Trail or access for dog bin emptying. Great care must be taken to manoeuvre the vehicle in the public area with use of a staff banksman if in any way unsighted.
Additional parking would need to be within the Country Park’s Pay-and-Display car park, which can be used as with any member of the public.
Insurance
The operator shall maintain a Public Liability Indemnity insurance policy to the value of not less than £10,000,000 for any one claim. The Council reserves the right to vary this figure from time to time as and when deemed necessary.
Services
Mains water, electricity and heating are provided in the existing changing room building, the successful party will be recharged a proportionate cost suitable to their use. It is also important that the changing rooms are not used for drying watersports equipment/wetsuits as this is bad for their fabric and will also lead to high energy use.
Viewing and Further Information
Interested parties are free to view the location at their leisure, however care must be taken when visiting the site.
Legal Costs
The ingoing tenant is to make a contribution of £495.00 towards the Landlord’s legal fees.
The tender Form Can be found in 'Further Information'.
Teignbridge District Council is offering a concession opportunity at Decoy Country Park & Local Nature Reserve in Newton Abbot for a range of specified watersports activities. This concession would involve operating watersports activities within a demarcated central zone of the Country Park's 11 acre freshwater lake.
The interest would be granted by way of six-year licence agreement to the successful bidder.
Location
Decoy Country Park is situated on the southern edge of Newton Abbot, see map. It is within easy reach of the town centre and a short distance from the A380 and from the railway station.
Description
Decoy Country Park covers some 43 acres and includes areas of mature woodland with extensive woodland trails, sports pitches and a very popular children’s play area. It is centred upon a 11 acre former clay pit, long since naturalised, and now home to a wealth of wildlife.
Decoy Country Park is also a Local Nature Reserve and its wildlife, especially wildfowl including ducks, Mute Swans and Great Crested Grebes, are a great source of pleasure and amenity to visitors.
Decoy has been one of the Council’s key recreational destinations for many years, and the number of visitors has been increasing year upon year. The Country Park & Local Nature Reserve has regional importance, drawing regular visitors from the whole District, as well as from Torbay, Exeter, Plymouth and beyond.
The quality of the visitor experience has been acknowledged with the awarding of Green Flag status for many years.
General Terms
1. As stated Decoy Country Park is also a Local Nature Reserve. For that reason, as well as the provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which make it an offence to disturb nesting birds, great care must be taken to safeguard their welfare. This must include.
Keeping water sports activities out of the protective exclusion zone around the margin. This wildfowl refuge margin will be adjusted slightly in two places to compensate for the overhanging vegetation, not indicated upon the base map, in order to avoid possible pinch points, and the boundary will be clearly marked with coloured buoys.
Being watchful for and not taking any craft towards the Swans, their cygnets, Grebes and their young or any other waterfowl. This instruction to be given to staff and participants, compliance requested as a condition of taking part and enforced.
Swimming on the lake is not permitted, and participants are to be reminded of this. Should they accidentally fall from craft they must board again immediately. This is important for safety (head counts) as well as avoidance of disturbance to wildlife and not undermining prohibitions on other youngsters entering the lake.
Careful consideration must be given as to whether it is necessary for a safety boat to be powered or whether a human powered craft would be sufficient. If a case is made for a powered boat, it must only ever be used in a safety capacity. It must not be used as a recreational tool through giving rides or being used to generate wake for kayakers, as this would add disturbance to nesting wildfowl.
Except in an emergency the safety boat must be ‘driven’ slowly and not exceed 4 knots and ideally the craft fitted with a device recording maximum speed.
2. The Licensee is to provide all their own craft and equipment and ensure that it is appropriate to the task and in good, safe, working order with a regular checking regime.
3. The Licensee must demonstrate a fitness to provide this public recreational provision at Decoy Country Park in the following ways.
• Evidencing extent of appropriate experience of comparable work for all staff delivering service to the public.
• Evidence current aals registration
• Evidencing appropriate and current training and qualifications in use of watersports craft and in instruction of the public in watersports, first aid and safeguarding and any other elements necessary in safely delivering the concession. Accreditation under Adventuremark would be welcomed.
• Evidencing risk assessments and safe working practices to include all water sports provided but also safeguarding and natural factors such as risks from wildfowl, Blue Green algae, Weill’s Disease and weather (for example never being on the water if electrical storms are forecast).
• Evidencing equipment safety certificates for water-based concessions and regular inspection regime.
• Evidencing the necessary 10 million pounds (per incident) cover for Public Liability for the activities provided.
4. Extent
• The concession period would be from 1st May to the 30th September.
• The maximum number of craft on the lake shall be limited to 20 craft at any one time for public assemblages comprising families and individuals or 35 at any one time for school bookings, including instructors. These to be mutually exclusive.
• If any further hours are proposed the maximum extent of these to be discussed and agreed in advance of the license signing. The purpose is to avoid an increase of impact as compared with previous seasons.
• The maximum daily extent would be 8 hours, between the hours of 8 a.m. And 9 p.m. Or dusk (whichever is the earlier).
5. The operator must comply with the Council’s Byelaws and Regulations for the time being in force which must not be infringed.
6. The operator has, at times, informally occupied part of the short grassy bank to the northern edge of the slipway. Care must be taken not to displace or occupy areas being used for grazing or resting by the resident Swans and their cygnets and should not, at any rate, extend more than a few metres from the slipway.
7. Use of two of the changing rooms equipped with central heating and associated showers and toilets shall be included within the licence.
8. The amount and location of advertising signage shall be limited and agreed in advance so as not to interfere with the visibility and impact of other signage for Country Park visitors.
9. The operator shall indemnify and keep indemnified the Council from all liability in respect of loss, damage, actions, proceedings, suits, claims, demands, costs, damages, liability and expenses in respect of any damage or injury to any person or property by reason of or arising in any way directly or indirectly from the Tenants use of the site, and take out and maintain third party insurance for all loss or damage however caused.
10. The operator shall not be permitted to assign, sublet or in any way transfer the benefit of the Licence.
11. The Council may terminate the Licence on one month’s notice or with immediate effect in writing upon breach of the operator’s obligations under the terms of this license or on any attempted or purported assignment of the rights granted by the Licence.
Planning
The operator shall be responsible for obtaining any necessary planning consent or other statutory approval which may at any time become necessary for their intended use.
The operator is encouraged to make enquiries with Teignbridge District Council’s Planning Department prior to the commencement of the Licence to ascertain whether or not planning consent will be necessary.
Tenders
Offers from interested parties are sought by 2pm on Tuesday 14th October 2025 by way of a sealed informal tender, using the attached Expression of Interest Form. The Offer should include:
• Completed tender form;
• A workable business plan, a clear product offer and sound financial planning
• Copies of relevant documents such as Safety Certificates, Public Liability and employer’s liability Insurance certificates etc.
• Evidence of suitability as described.
Parking
Whilst there is no dedicated parking with the site one vehicle may be parked with care to the side of the access track behind the pavilion so as not to impede emergency vehicle access to the slipway or Blue Trail or access for dog bin emptying. Great care must be taken to manoeuvre the vehicle in the public area with use of a staff banksman if in any way unsighted.
Additional parking would need to be within the Country Park’s Pay-and-Display car park, which can be used as with any member of the public.
Insurance
The operator shall maintain a Public Liability Indemnity insurance policy to the value of not less than £10,000,000 for any one claim. The Council reserves the right to vary this figure from time to time as and when deemed necessary.
Services
Mains water, electricity and heating are provided in the existing changing room building, the successful party will be recharged a proportionate cost suitable to their use. It is also important that the changing rooms are not used for drying watersports equipment/wetsuits as this is bad for their fabric and will also lead to high energy use.
Viewing and Further Information
Interested parties are free to view the location at their leisure, however care must be taken when visiting the site.
Legal Costs
The ingoing tenant is to make a contribution of £495.00 towards the Landlord’s legal fees.
The tender Form Can be found in 'Further Information'.
More information
Listed by
Teignbridge District Council
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