The land has been assessed as surplus
Churchill Memorial Gardens in Brixham(Image: Google Street View)
Three pieces of waterfront land in Brixham – including the port’s war memorial garden – could be sold off by Torbay Council for the total sum of just one pound.
Brixham Town Council is the would-be buyer of the three prominent sites, which Torbay says have become an ‘economic and operational liability’.
The town’s £1 will buy it the Churchill Memorial Gardens, the War Memorial Garden and Jubilee Gardens. All three are close together off Berry Head Road, overlooking Breakwater Beach and the harbour.
The move will be discussed by Torbay’s cabinet next week (May 12), and a report from officers says the town council had requested the transfer, saying the long-term management of the gardens were best delivered at a local level, where decision-making is closely aligned with community priorities.
Each site holds significant value to the people of Brixham, says the town council, providing important green space, heritage protection, and opportunities for recreation. The aim is to secure improved accessibility and better maintenance.
The report says the land has been assessed as surplus, with little future possibility of redevelopment.
It goes on: “Retaining these three assets provides no income and places the management liability of the sites on to Torbay Council. A transfer would reduce financial and operational exposure.”
The transfer, if agreed, would come with restrictive covenants on the future use of the land, and a clause which allows Torbay to claw money back if any of the sites is sold for a higher value in future.
The war memorial is the focus of Brixham’s Remembrance events each year, and the council officers’ report explains: “This decision will support the historic war memorial and memorial gardens to be maintained and will provide a focal point for commemorative activities.
“The war memorial is central to the Remembrance Sunday ceremonies each year. Additionally, information boards were erected in the Churchill memorial gardens in 2025 regarding Brixham Harbour’s role in the Second World War and the D-Day landings.
“Any transfer of ownership that would result in the upkeep and regular maintenance of these sites would be significantly important to the Armed Forces community in Brixham and the wider community.”
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