A political group in Teignbridge, originally formed to oppose housing developments, has announced plans to effectively disband.
The South Devon Alliance (SDA) says its councillors will now serve as independents on the Teignbridge District Council.
In an official statement on social media, the SDA explained, “The South Devon Alliance councillors have today concluded that our party should no longer operate as a single group within Teignbridge District Council.”
The group cited its past efforts to represent public concerns over development projects like NA3 and Queen Street. SDA leaders believe that meaningful change now requires a broader alliance of independent councillors across Teignbridge, not limited to Newton Abbot. This broader coalition would aim to create a district-wide opposition capable of promoting a more democratic council by the next local elections in 2027. “The planning for this must start now,” the statement emphasised.
The SDA was founded in 2018 as Newton Says No, a grassroots campaign against large-scale housing developments near Newton Abbot. In May 2019, three of its members were elected to the Teignbridge Council. By 2023, the group had rebranded as the South Devon Alliance, expanding its focus to district-wide issues and eventually becoming the largest opposition party on the council.
Cllr. Richard Daws, the SDA’s leader, explained the decision: “We have fought tirelessly for the town and continued to reach out across the district,” he said. Daws pointed to ongoing challenges, including what he described as poor decision-making and institutional intimidation, issues highlighted in a three-year investigation by the Local Government Ombudsman. In response to the Ombudsman’s findings, the council had to apologise for what was deemed unlawful operations. He also referenced the council’s recent “zero tolerance” policy on abuse, announced in October 2024.
Cllr Daws believes the only way to bring about lasting change is to increase the number of independent councillors in Teignbridge, fostering a truly democratic council structure. Moving forward, SDA councillors will continue to advocate for the district from within the council chamber, prioritising the best interests of Teignbridge residents.
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