THE refurbishment of a community centre in a rural Teignbridge village has taken the next step to becoming a reality as Listed Building Consent (LBC) is granted by planners.

The planning application - reference 25/01398/LBC sought to obtain LBC for refurbishment and maintenance work to the Grade II listed Bishopsteignton Community Centre and Museum.

And Teignbridge District Council have this week granted LBC.

‘The works hereby permitted shall begin before the expiry of three years from the date of this permission’, the council said in its decision notice, which was published on December 1.

Having secured the necessary planning consent, the ‘Bishopsteignton Community Centre and Heritage Museum Regeneration Project’ can 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.

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;

• 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.