Dawlish Discussion

Last week three former Town Mayors and about forty other people turned up at short notice for a press photo to publicise the discontent over the Town Council's purchase of the old Salvation Army hall in Dawlish - see this week's Dawlish Gazette.

The building has been unused since the Town Council bought it for Council offices only six days after a public meeting where the Mayor said "It's not a done deal" to the Public Meeting of 350 protesters in St Gregory's Church.

Does the Council still have a use for it? They are proposing to rent it out for 18 months and have not closed their minds to closing and selling the Manor House. Indeed they want to look after their white elephant so much they have put a brand new padlock on the gate.

They may wish to rent it out but who would wish to rent it?

Re the selling of the Manor House. All the town council seats are up for grabs come the local elections being held in May.

Different councillors, different priorities?

@Vanguard

I could be wrong here but I understand the building is not in a fit state to rent out or indeed have any use what so ever without spending thousands on refurbishment, asbestos removal etc.

The next joke due for release is how much it is going to cost to demolish it. Ha Ha Ha

I may be wrong but I think there was planning permission on this building when it was with its previous owners, if it still excists a developer might be interested in buying it !!!!!!!

I too thought the previous owners (who shall be nameless) had planning permission for flats. Surely this should still be current?

You are both right. The Town Council has renewed the previous planning approval to redevelop as flats, BUT we understand they'd be unlikely to sell for as much as they bought it for one year ago!

If you look at the site and surroundings you can see how tricky it will be to work on that contained site, and there is no access for parking to be provided.

Because it is contentious the Town Clerk has kept all discussion at council meetings in Part II when the public have to leave the room. For that reason we have yet to see the surveyor's report which we hear was not obtained until some long time after they purchased it.

http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/news/Council-given-shame-163-250-000-building/article-3217648-detail/article.html