Residents Express Displeasure Over Auction of Former Plymouth Register Office

The proposed auction of a disused council property in Devon has caused discontent among local residents. The former Plymouth Register Office, which has been vacant for four years, occupies a prominent site close to Plymouth Hoe. The auction is scheduled for 1 November, with a starting guide price set at £295,000. The Hoe Neighbourhood Forum has stated that the asking price is excessively low and that the timeline for the sale constitutes a “fire sale,” preventing them from adequate preparation. Hugh Janes, representing the forum, commented: “We could have got together a consortium of residents and businesses, and come up with something that worked on this site. “The council would have benefitted from getting the maximum return on the money instead of this lottery.” Penny Tarrant, the forum’s Chairwoman, mentioned that a local consultation had taken place and that the group had hoped any future redevelopment would incorporate affordable housing. She stated: “We have a site that is perfectly suited to that and we have a community that is willing and open to that kind of development and yet we are not being given any opportunity to try and bring it forward.” Plymouth City Council responded by explaining that setting lower sale prices to generate increased interest at auction is a common procedure. The council indicated that its members had engaged with residents regarding a potential development, but this proposal had not progressed to the planning application phase. Consequently, the decision was made to sell the site due to financial constraints. The council further noted that any subsequent development on the property would still be required to adhere to current local planning regulations.