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| Bantham estate in Devon bought by family | Bantham estate in Devon bought by family |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| The sale of a 750-acre (303 hectare) seaside estate in south Devon has been agreed, agents have said. | |
| Bantham, which includes the beach, estuary and about 20 cottages in the village, has been sold to a "family who will continue to manage and conserve the estate", said Strutt and Parker. | Bantham, which includes the beach, estuary and about 20 cottages in the village, has been sold to a "family who will continue to manage and conserve the estate", said Strutt and Parker. |
| The National Trust, which was hoping to buy part of the the estate, said it was "extremely disappointed". | The National Trust, which was hoping to buy part of the the estate, said it was "extremely disappointed". |
| The estate was put on the market earlier in the year for £11m. | The estate was put on the market earlier in the year for £11m. |
| It has been in the same family for about 100 years. | It has been in the same family for about 100 years. |
| James Baker, of Strutt and Parker Exeter, said the buyers, who do not want to be named, were "in for the long term". | |
| He said: "It's a wonderful part of the world and they want to preserve it." | He said: "It's a wonderful part of the world and they want to preserve it." |
| There have been concerns that tenants in the cottages would be removed, but Mr Baker said: "That's not going to happen." | |
| "They are a really nice family and everyone will be happy," he said. | "They are a really nice family and everyone will be happy," he said. |
| The sale could be finalised in the next four to six weeks. | The sale could be finalised in the next four to six weeks. |
| "We were not expecting it to happen so quickly," said Mr Baker, who has been handling the sale since the estate was put on the market in May. | "We were not expecting it to happen so quickly," said Mr Baker, who has been handling the sale since the estate was put on the market in May. |
| 'Special place' | 'Special place' |
| Mark Harold, south west regional director for the National Trust said: "We, along with many thousands of people who have contacted us over the past few weeks encouraging our involvement in its future, care very passionately about Bantham. | Mark Harold, south west regional director for the National Trust said: "We, along with many thousands of people who have contacted us over the past few weeks encouraging our involvement in its future, care very passionately about Bantham. |
| "We believe this is a very special place, held dear in the hearts of many, not only locally, but also those who have fond memories of childhoods and family times spent there. | "We believe this is a very special place, held dear in the hearts of many, not only locally, but also those who have fond memories of childhoods and family times spent there. |
| "We will of course continue to care and protect for ever and for everyone the 40 miles and 3,000 hectares of the south Devon coast we already care for. | "We will of course continue to care and protect for ever and for everyone the 40 miles and 3,000 hectares of the south Devon coast we already care for. |
| "We would also want, if possible, to work with any future owners of Bantham beach and estuary and ensure that this beautiful location is continued to be enjoyed by the many thousands of people who have told us how much it means to them." | "We would also want, if possible, to work with any future owners of Bantham beach and estuary and ensure that this beautiful location is continued to be enjoyed by the many thousands of people who have told us how much it means to them." |
| Tim Hunt, of community organisation Friends of Bantham, said: "We're looking forward to working with the new owners. | |
| "If they have found someone who is going to conserve it, that is good." | |
| The National Trust launched a £2.6m appeal in June to buy the beach, estuary and surrounding woodland, but not the cottages or farmland. | |
| Supporters of the National Trust bid included local MP Dr Sarah Wollaston, who tweeted her disappointment. | |
| Mr Hunt said the trust had been too late to act. |