A new chapter for Old Forde House?

NEWTON Abbot’s historic Old Forde House could be given a new lease of life under ambitious plans from a team of local people seeking to secure its future for the community.

A website and social media campaign have officially launched as the team behind the proposed ‘Old Forde House Community Benefit Society’ begins gathering public support for its plans for the historic Grade I-listed building.

Business and health strategist Sharon Nelson, who is leading the initiative alongside fellow consultant Russell Cunningham through their business Align Consulting, said the aim was to create a welcoming destination that would showcase local businesses, support community wellbeing and attract visitors to the area.

The team, which currently comprises nine people, has until February 18 to submit its bid.

The campaign follows an earlier community asset moratorium, which gave time to explore options for the building before Teignbridge District Council moved towards disposal.

Ms Nelson said she and her business partner had submitted an initial proposal during the council's disposal window, but the team subsequently applied for a further moratorium to develop its community-led initiative.

Having spent years developing a framework to bring businesses, public services and community organisations together, Sharon said Old Forde House presented an exceptional opportunity.

‘I just looked at Old Forde House and thought it would be the most incredible “front door”’, she said.

‘Its size, grounds and position close to the railway station make it ideally placed to become a gateway to Newton Abbot and the wider South Devon area’, she added.

The vision has two complementary elements: a commercially sustainable venue and a wider social benefit for the community.

The proposed commercial offer could include flexible event space for workshops, meetings, celebrations and festivals, alongside opportunities for small businesses to promote their services, test new ideas and reach new audiences.

Ideas under consideration include pop-up food businesses, co-working facilities and weddings, with the emphasis on working alongside existing venues and enterprises rather than competing with them.

‘We want to reimagine it back into a home – not offices, but a front door that everyone is welcome through’, Ms Nelson said.

She stressed that these were proposals at an early stage and that public consultation would help determine what ultimately happened inside the building.

‘We see ourselves as a facilitation team’, she said. ‘In terms of exactly what happens there, again, that's for the community to absolutely get involved and get behind.’.

The proposed community benefit society structure would allow people to become members for as little as £1.

However, significant work remains before a viable bid can be submitted.

The team is examining feasibility, finances, building condition, health and safety, planning and accessibility, alongside the requirements of caring for a Grade I-listed property.

Ms Nelson said around two-thirds of the house could currently be used, but part of the building required renovation. Its heritage status would also place limits on what changes could be made.

The group is drawing on advice from heritage organisations and intends to present its proposals to Newton Abbot Town Council on November 25, seeking its support as a stakeholder.

Ms Nelson said the team was working voluntarily, driven by a belief that the building could deliver lasting benefits for the area.

‘We want it to be a real legacy that the community owns’, she said.

She added: ‘We need grassroots-led initiatives. We need to lose tick boxes. We need to lose a lot of the bureaucracy because that's where a lot of the time, money and energy is wasted’.

The newly launched website, www.oldfordehouse.org.uk, invites people to share their views, express interest and suggest how they could contribute.

The campaign is also running on Facebook under Old Forde House and on Instagram at @oldfordehouse