Dartmouth Clinic has been listed as an Asset of Community Value

Dartmouth Community Chest are delighted that their application to have the former Dartmouth Clinic listed as an Asset of Community Value by South Hams District Council was confirmed this week. 

The decision rested in part on whether the future use of building would further the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community. 

The recommendation by the district council commented that Dartmouth Community Chest was a well established charity (set up in 2010), and was experienced in securing external grant funding to support its provision of services.

The report also noted that the nomination and proposal for future use was supported by Dartmouth Town Council, and local Ward Members had also expressed support for the nomination.

Pending this decision the Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust withdrew the property from the public auction. This now gives Dartmouth Community Chest the opportunity to acquire the clinic for community use.  

Preliminary discussions with the NHS Trust have taken place and there has been a commitment to continued dialogue with the between the NHS Trust and the charity.  

Dawn Shepherd who heads up the work of Dartmouth Community Chest, said: “This is a wonderful for our residents to benefit even more from the work of Community Chest – this will mean we can have a permanent base from which to grow our activities especially as a focal point for delivering badly needed support services for the most vulnerable. 

"We will also be able to work better with dedicated spaces for different activities, which we can’t currently offer. This is such an exciting opportunity, I do hope we can secure this soon."