Historical Paignton house to be let out to local causes

This is after years of declining use

A grade II-listed building in Paignton, Parkfield House, is to be let out to local good causes following years of declining use.

The 19th century property was most recently used by Children Services and the Youth Offending Team but they say they no longer need the building.

Torbay Council, which owns Parkfield House, wants to: “create a valuable community asset that will benefit and have a positive impact on children and young people in the Bay.”

Under the plans, Parkfield House, as well as the nearby stable blocks, community woodland and BMX track, will remain in the council’s ownership but day-to-day running and management would be handed over to a partner or group of partners in the non-profit sector, such as charities. 

This would either be through a long leasehold lasting a minimum of 25 years or a ‘community asset transfer.’ Such a transfer, which is very similar to the leasehold option, would see management handed from the council to a community organisation such as a charity or social enterprise for less than the market rate.

Following a decision by Torbay Council’s cabinet, Kevin Mowat, the council’s director of place, will now look for groups interested in taking the property. He will consult the Parkfield House Project Board throughout the process.

Any decisions will need approval from cabinet before going ahead. It’s expected this will happen by November.

Speaking at cabinet, councillor Cordelia Law (Lib Dems, Tormohun), cabinet member for children’s services, said: “Although the future of Parkfield has to be for our children and young people first and foremost, this beautiful estate has the potential to be a fantastic centre for all our community, for everybody – young and old – and I think it’s really great that we’re going to have this opportunity to maximise that.

“It will be great to see this beautiful part of the estate come back to life and become a community venue in the heart of Paignton.”

Councillor Chris Lewis (Conservatives, Preston) added: “I think over the last 10 years [Parkfield] probably hasn’t been used in the way it could’ve been or should’ve been and this is certainly a way forward for doing it.”

Darren Cowell (Independent Group, Shiphay) deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for finance said: “It’s a long-overdue opportunity to at last put Parkfield front and centre.”