A COMMUNITY centre in a rural Teignbridge village is seeking Listed Building Consent (LBC) as it looks to put the wheels of a vital refurbishment project in motion.

Validated by Teignbridge District Council (TDC) on August 27, 25/01398/LBC hopes to obtain LBC for refurbishment and maintenance work to the Grade II listed Bishopsteignton Community Centre and Museum.

The application, and the approval thereof, is crucial for the ‘Bishopsteignton Community Centre and Heritage Museum Regeneration Project’ to get underway.

The project involves refurbishing two rooms; creating a storage area; repairing and, where necessary, replacing windows; installing secondary glazing and draft proofing throughout; furnishing and fitting out a museum room with display units and audio visual equipment and much more besides.

‘Without Listed Building Consent and funding for these necessary works, the community centre will continue to deteriorate and eventually become unfit for its most important use and contribution to the fabric of the village and parish’, the design and access statement for 25/01398/LBC reads.

Having served the community as its school since 1719, buildings on the site off Shute Hill were saved from being turned into flats by a parish council-backed public campaign in 1981.

It has served as the village community centre ever since, with a footfall of close to 8,000 people per year.

At present, it is occupied by Bishopsteignton Heritage and Bishopsteignton Parish Council, the latter having met at the centre since its inception in 1894.

In addition, 17 clubs and organisations regularly utilise the space, with it also being used on an ad hoc basis for parties, wakes, talks, exhibitions and more.

According to the design and access statement, by carrying out the proposed works, the centre we will be able to:

• Secure a capability to be sustain the buildings and site into the future through enhanced rental income from currently unfit and unused areas;

• Further improve the ability to self-sustain through reduced operating costs;

• Reduce the impact on the environment;

• Create and furnish a dedicated, accessible community museum room allowing the existing tenant Bishopsteignton Heritage to continue their expansion servicing the community and its descendants with research, exhibitions and activities conducted within a safe space open to all.

The deadline for a decision on 25/01398/LBC is October 22.

For further information visit Teignbridge District Council’s planning portal and enter ‘25/01398/LBC’ into the search-box.