At the Full Council meeting on 12 March 2026, Bude-Stratton Town Council resolved to begin the process of selling 1 Lords Court in Stratton.
The property was purchased by the council in 2023 with the intention of supporting the community and exploring opportunities to provide housing and other local benefits. The building includes three residential flats and Stratton Stores and Post Office at ground level.
Since the purchase, the council has explored a range of options for the future of the property. Professional reports have confirmed that the building requires significant repairs and investment in order for the flats to meet modern living standards, in addition to the £275,000 purchase price paid in 2023.
Bude-Stratton Town Council also worked with North Kernow Community Housing to explore whether a viable proposal could be developed. The organisation was given four months to produce a business case but was unable to identify sufficient funding to support a proposal that would meet the council’s financial responsibilities.
Over the past three years the council has considered a number of potential options for the site. However, it has not been possible to identify a workable and financially sustainable solution and the council is disappointed that a viable way forward for the building has not been found.
Councillors considered the substantial investment that would be required to make the residential flats habitable and carry out the necessary repairs to the building as a whole, alongside the council’s wider responsibilities and the need to manage public funds carefully on behalf of residents.
Following this discussion, councillors voted to begin the process of selling the property on the open market. Work to initiate the sale is expected to begin next week.
The council would like to make clear that selling the building does not automatically mean the closure of Stratton Stores and Post Office. This is an established business operating from the property and a future purchaser may choose to continue running the premises in its current form.
The council recognises that there has been strong interest in the future of the building and appreciates the time and effort that members of the community and partner organisations have given in exploring possible options.
