Work is set to begin on demolishing a church in Paignton to make way for 25 apartments. The former St Boniface Church in Foxhole will be replaced by a new development of social housing.
A Torbay-based contractor will carry out the demolition and build the apartments for local people, according to Torbay Council. The church, north of Belfield Road, was closed by the Diocese of Plymouth in 2024 because of the building's deteriorating condition and a declining local congregation. Services have since moved to other churches. The site was never consecrated, meaning no burials took place there.
The church was built in the 1950s on land sold to the Diocese by Paignton Urban District Council. That council was abolished in 1968 and now forms part of Torbay Council. When closing former church sites, the Church of England says its intention is to use surplus assets to enable affordable housing. The council's acquisition and redevelopment will ensure the site remains of benefit to the local community. The former church sits next to the well-used Foxhole Community Centre, often considered part of the heart of the community.
Planning permission for the scheme was granted earlier in 2026. Residents will have access to landscaped communal gardens, parking and mobility scooter storage. The flats will also benefit from a communal solar panel system and efficient heating. The scheme includes wheelchair adaptable properties for residents needing more specialist housing.
Torbay Council wants to increase the amount of social rented council housing in the area. Like many councils, Torbay was encouraged to transfer its original housing stock to a housing association, which happened in 2001. But there is now a drive to get councils building homes again to increase supply. The council's first 36 new homes were delivered between October and December 2025, including 14 flats at what is now known as Brampton House in Torquay. The council will take 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 begin at the former Crossways Shopping Centre in Paignton after October half-term, which will provide 91 homes for social-rented Extra Care Housing. There are also plans to redevelop the former Seabury Hotel site on Manor Road, Torquay.
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 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."
Paignton Church to Be Demolished for 25 Council Flats