CREDITON Town Council, at its meeting on Tuesday, March 16, decided to proceed with the purchase of Old Landscore School at Threshers in the town.

The town council acquired the tenancy of Old Landscore School more than a year ago and the premises have been used for council meetings, storage and other uses.

The building at Old Landscore School was previously used by Early Birds Nursery and Pre-School until it closed down in February 2019, having occupied the building since 1992.

During the meeting on Tuesday, Cllr Elizabeth Brookes-Hocking emphasised that the building should be purchased “to keep it in public ownership for community use”.

Cllr Jim Cairney said: “It is the right decision. As Crediton grows we will need this sort of facility. I don’t see a downside to purchasing the building.”

Crediton Town Council conducted a feasibility study to investigate what uses the building could provide.

Crediton Mayor, Cllr Frank Letch, told the “Courier”: “Crediton Town Council has made the decision to purchase Old Landscore School after a period whereby it could be offered to community groups free-of-charge, whilst consideration was given to its future use.

“The decision to purchase the building provides an opportunity to safeguard an historic building, keeping it in public ownership and creating a fantastic space for the community.”

Crediton Town Clerk, Mrs Rachel Avery, added: “The purchase of Old Landscore School is both a challenge and responsibility.

“I am sure that all councillors will give their best efforts to make sure this wonderful building is kept in a good state and can be used by the many groups in the town that have shown interest.”

Crediton Town Council, which has an office in North Street, Crediton, was previously resident in the former Council Offices in Market Street, Crediton.

Mid Devon District Council decided to sell the former Crediton Council Offices privately rather than to Crediton Town Council, which had hoped to purchase the building.

Crediton Town Council recently increased its Precept by almost 25 per cent to help pay for the purchase of the building as well as to pay towards an effective CCTV system for the town and to pay for other services in the town, many of which had previously been paid for by Mid Devon District Council.