New bid to save old Paignton Monastery

Paignton’s historic monastery could still be saved as campaigners look to turn it into a community centre for the people that live around it.
The empty building on a hillside overlooking the town has been listed as surplus to requirements by Torbay Council, which is trying to get rid of it. The council says it would cost far too much to repair the Victorian building.
But now people living in the Clifton and Maidenway area are campaigning to have it listed as an asset of community value.
That means it would be recognised for its significant contribution to the social wellbeing or interests of the local community, such as for cultural, recreational, or sporting activities. 
Then, if the council did decide to sell it, community groups would have first option to buy it, and six months in which to raise the money.

The campaign to turn the monastery into a community centre is being led by Cllr Cat Johns (Lib Dem, Clifton with Maidenway) who raised the issue at a recent council meeting.
She asked what Torbay Council was doing to bring the building back into use, but deputy council leader Chris Lewis (Con, Preston) replied: “Given the condition of the building, it is not practical or cost-effective to spend the sums of money required and, as such, the building is currently on the list of assets that the council intends to dispose of.”
The building opened in June 1883, and has a cast iron statue known as The White Lady on its roof. This was illuminated at night to be used by skippers as a landmark on their way back to harbour.
In 1971 the Marist priests moved to London, and since then the monastery has been the Lions’ Club, Victim Support, Nightingales Children’s Project, a food bank and family support centre.
The council voted to sell the building back in 2019. Suggested future uses have included  affordable housing. The building is not listed.

A public meeting will be held at the Methodist Hall in Tower Road on October 19 at 5pm to discuss the next steps.
Cllr Johns said: “We’d love to hear people’s opinions and suggestions for what they would like to see happen. We know many local people would like to see the return of the White Lady Club, the Lions Club and more ideas for residents of Clifton with Maidenway to make the best use of this lovely building.”
She said the common feeling among locals was that the monastery should be a place for the people. While many areas of Paignton have their own social community clubs, the Clifton with Maidenway ward does not.
“The area is all residential, but we don’t have our own identity. The tide is turning and the people want to take the monastery back from the council and put their stamp on it,” said Cllr Johns.
“We don’t want it sold off, and we don’t want to see it pulled down.”