A new development of 100% social housing, all for local residents is set to get underway at the former St Boniface Church in Paignton.

The exciting new development will see us partner with a Torbay-based contractor to demolish the derelict site and provide 25 high-specification, efficient apartments for local people. 

The former Church, to the north of Belfield Road in Paignton, was closed by the Diocese of Plymouth in 2024, in response to the deteriorating condition of the building and declining local congregation.  Services have since transferred to other churches.  The site was never 'consecrated', meaning that no burials took place there. 

The building was constructed in the 1950s on land sold to the Diocese by Paignton Urban District Council.  Paignton Urban District Council was abolished in 1968, and forms part of what is now Torbay Council. 

When closing former church sites, the Church of England has stated its intention to use surplus assets to enable affordable housing to be built.  Our acquisition of the site and its redevelopment will ensure it remains of benefit to the local community for generations to come.

The former church is well-located within the established residential area of Foxhole, and close to a range of services, public transport and other key local facilities.  It is also next door to the very well-used Foxhole Community Centre, often considered part of the heart of the community.

The scheme was granted planning permission earlier in 2026, with a design that is visually attractive, that blends traditional design cues, with a mix of modern materials and high quality finishes.  Residents will have access to landscaped communal gardens, parking and mobility scooter storage; flats will also benefit from a communal solar panel system and efficient heating, meaning tenants' monthly outgoings will be minimised.    The scheme also includes wheelchair adaptable properties for residents that need more specialist forms of housing.

Redevelopment of the St. Boniface Church is the next project in our drive to rapidly increase the amount of social rented 'council housing' in Torbay.  As with many Local Authorities at the time, Torbay was encouraged to transfer its original housing stock to a housing association, which took place in 2001.  But since 2018, there has been a drive by successive governments to get Councils building homes again to increase supply and address the widespread housing crisis. 

We have stepped up to answer this challenge and has rapidly directly developed a new programme of council housebuilding since 2024, with its first 36 new homes delivered between October-December 2025, including 14 flats within our first 'Hotels to Homes' scheme at what is now known as Brampton House in Torquay.  We will be taking handover of its next 23 homes (also for older residents) for social rent at the former St. Kilda's care home in Brixham in October 2026; work will also commence at the former Crossways Shopping Centre in Paignton after October half-term, which will provide 91 homes for social-rented Extra Care Housing.  At the July 2026 Cabinet meeting, the Council also agreed to deliver its next two Hotels to Homes projects on sites in Torquay; a construction tender will also be issued in Autumn 2026 to redevelop the former Seabury Hotel site, on Manor Road, Torquay.  All schemes will provide 100% social rented housing, for households with a local connection.

Councillor Alan Tyerman, Cabinet Member for Housing and Finance at Torbay Council, said:

"This is an exciting project for Torbay.  This Council has made a commitment to develop a new generation of council housing, and this is our next investment to do just that.  We will provide the homes our residents really need, and will do everything we can to ensure these are delivered on brownfield sites, to help protect our precious greenfield spaces.  We know this is important to our residents.  We will encourage sustainable growth but redevelop first, those derelict sites that are a nuisance to our residents in respect of decaying buildings and anti-social behaviour. 

"We are pleased to partner with Boniface Community Homes Ltd. and Armada Property (UK) Ltd. to deliver this project and continue the good progress we made on new council housing in 2025. 

"By creating high-quality, accessible homes for older residents on the former St. Boniface site, we are using our investment to help our residents remain independent for longer, and stay connected to their communities with access to good quality homes.

"We also know how important our social housing projects are to the local economy.  On our two most recent schemes, we have seen over 70% of our capital investment spent within Torbay and the surrounding areas, through purchase of materials, and employment of local tradespeople.

"So, whilst this project is predominantly about addressing local housing need, we are proud about what it also means for investment in our area, job creation, and economic prosperity; all of which are essential." 

A spokesperson for Boniface Community Homes Ltd and Armada Property (UK) Ltd. said:

"We are looking forward to working with Torbay Council to deliver these much-needed social rented homes in Paignton.

"The development will provide homes for local households and allow us to employ local people throughout the build process.  We are particularly pleased about what this means for local school leavers and construction apprentices that will have chance to be involved with the development over the next couple of years.  Building social housing creates jobs and brings investment into Torbay; we are delighted to play our part in helping the local economy grow.

"We have some work to do to prepare the site for redevelopment including moving an electricity substation and demolition of the existing buildings, but we expect work to begin in Autumn 2026."

To deliver the scheme, we have secured Homes England grant funding, combined with its own borrowing, funded by future rental income.  Residents are expected to move in, in late 2028 with all homes advertised through Devon Home Choice in the lead up to completion.