A SURVEY has been launched to gauge public opinion on how the Dawlish aviary site should be redeveloped for the future.

Following the devastating outbreak of highly pathogenic Avian flu in 2025 which saw up to 50 birds humanely culled, the aviary site has been left empty.

It was a popular visitor attraction and loved by locals and home to a variety of ornamental birds such as tufted duck, mandarin duck and shelduck.

Since the outbreak, the Dawlish Town Council has worked with senior veterinary officers from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to consider how to bring the site back into safe use.

It has been left empty for 12 months as to reopen it sooner would have required costly stringent cleansing and disinfection measures.

The site can be reopened at the end of November.

But the town council has now launched a survey asking for views on how it should be redeveloped for the future.

A spokesman said: ‘The council is committed to ensuring that any future development is sustainable, educational, and beneficial to the community while recognising the importance of the aviary as a valued part of Dawlish’s identity.’

Three options are being put forward.

Option one is an ornamental waterfowl aviary which means rebuilding to house ornamental waterfowl, ‘preserving Dawlish's historic attraction while providing opportunities for visitors to observe and learn about different species’.

The survey says: ‘A modern, welfare-focused enclosure would maintain the town’s long-standing connection with waterfowl, supporting education and tourism whilst providing educational opportunities for visitors and school.’

Option 2 is a UK conservation breed aviary.

This would see the aviary transformed into a conservation-focused facility, breeding and displaying rare and endangered British waterfowl breeds while helping to preserve the nation’s natural heritage.

The idea is to provide unique educational opportunities for visitors and schools conservation efforts and raising awareness of the importance of protecting rare breeds and genetic diversity.

Option 3 is an education centre with no birds or animals.

The aviary would be replaced with an educational and interpretation centre focused on Dawlish's history, wildlife, conservation, biosecurity, and waterfowl heritage, without keeping live birds and provide a flexible year-round space for exhibitions, workshops and school visits.

The aviary had been in need of renovation and upgrading before the Avian flu outbreak and money is available in the town council’s budget.

Dawlish Waterfowl Wardens are encouraging both residents and visitors to complete the survey.

A spokesman said: ‘We know there are lots of people from outside of Dawlish and the surrounding area who are extremely passionate about our waterfowl.’

The survey is available online and hard copies are available at the Manor House, Dawlish Library, The Strand Centre, Hope Church and Presents of Dawlish.

The consultation closes on October 21.

To complete the survey online: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/mRpAczCiqU