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Former Monastery Offered to Community for Just £1
4 Dec
Summary
- Campaigners can buy a former monastery for only £1.
- The building has been on the council's asset list since 2019.
- A deal must be completed by the end of March 2026.
A significant opportunity has arisen for a community group in Paignton to acquire a former monastery for just £1. Torbay Council has proposed this negligible sum to support campaigners aiming to establish a community centre within the historic Berry Drive building.
The monastery, originally purchased by the Marist Order in 1881, has stood empty for fifty years since the monks departed. It has since been utilized for various purposes, including a social club and a food bank, before appearing on the council's surplus assets list in 2019.
Lib-Dem councillors spearheaded a recent campaign to keep the property in community hands, identifying a local need for a community centre. The council's offer stipulates the formation of a legal entity by March 2026, with provisions for any future property value "uplift" to revert to the council.
