The Old Vicarage in Dawlish, U.K. has stood empty since 2003 and has been considered derelict since at least 2008. Its condition, listed status and challenging location have made finding a viable future for the building particularly difficult. Locals set up the Vicarage Residents Group to lead the fight to save the property from ruin, and welcomed the latest proposal when it was revealed earlier this year. It was said at the time the roofs of the stone and cob buildings, the end section of the cob building and a section of internal wall in the coach house would have to be knocked down because of their poor condition.
Thought to date from the late 17th century, it served as the vicarage for Dawlish until 1938, when it was sold to the Great Western Railway. In 1950 the building was converted to form four flats for the staff of British Railways.
The approved plan will see three two-bedroom houses and two three-bedroom houses created within the main building, a two-bedroom house in the converted coach house and a one-bedroom home built elsewhere within the grounds.
An executive member for planning and building control, said: “The Old Vicarage has stood empty and deteriorating for far too long, and residents understandably want to see action. The plans will bring a difficult and neglected site back into use and provide new homes. Planning permission marks an important step forward, and we now want to see the restoration delivered.”
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