Three derelict cottages

which cost only hundreds of pounds to build could cost £21,000 to restore. 

The cottages – they are in North Road, Bideford – cannot be demolished because they are scheduled as being of special architectural or historic interest.

The land sub-committee of the Policy and Resources Committee of Torridge District Council, who own the houses, are to tell the Department of the Environment who scheduled the property about the situation and ask for a grant. The council had advertised for suggestions about the houses and had been contacted by a Mrs Charles Acton Bond, of Manotick, Ontario, Canada. She had written that she was interested in coming to live permanently in this country and was looking for a building to renovate.

Cllr Clifford suggested that if the council could delay until the property fell down, rear access could be provided to properties in the Strand.

7 February 1975