Torquay United's Plainmoor ground deemed 'important community hub'

The ‘social and cultural value’ of Torquay United’s Plainmoor football stadium has ensured that it is protected from development – for the next five years at least.
Every five years Plainmoor’s listing as a recognised ‘asset of community value’ comes up for renewal. The listing means it joins a roster of buildings and other facilities which are deemed to have a major value to their communities.
This will be the third time it has been listed.
If the owner – in Plainmoor’s case Torbay Council – decides it wants to sell the asset, the local community gets first refusal to snap it up ahead of any developers. Torquay United have a lease on Plainmoor until 2081.
A report to the council’s cabinet said: “Plainmoor Stadium plays a vital role in bringing people together across Torbay.
“It is a focal point for local pride, sporting achievement, and community engagement. Re-listing the stadium as an asset of community value reinforces our commitment to celebrating success and ensuring residents feel connected to their community.”
Councillors heard that the previous five-year listing had expired at the end of March, and Plainmoor still met the legal criteria to be listed.
Cllr Jackie Thomas (Con, Kings Ash) told the committee: “Nothing has changed since the last listing.
“The ground remains an important community hub, and its attendance has also risen in recent years. Sports grounds, even when run commercially, can be listed because of their wide social and cultural value.”
The cabinet agreed unanimously to renew Plainmoor’s listing.
Members had also been due to discuss applications to list the Monastery in Paignton and The Edge community hub in Brixham.
People in Paignton have been campaigning to have the Monastery placed in the hands of local people to be used as a community centre.
Their views – and those of the Brixham group – will be heard by the next meeting of the cabinet on December 16 instead.
Council leader David Thomas (Con, Preston) explained that they had been deferred to allow more time for the two groups to gather information.