Elderly residents of Salcombe were guaranteed a lifelong residence within this listed villa, but the charity that received the gift is considering selling it.

In a bid to preserve the historic Woodcot retirement home, the Woodcot Foundation has come forward with a proposal to take over the property from Age UK. This move comes as Age UK considers selling Woodcot due to its exorbitant running costs.

Built in 1797 by James Yates, a London merchant, Woodcot is a Grade II*-listed Regency villa that boasts extensive grounds and offers some of the best views imaginable. The property, which has been a residential home for elderly people since its original gift to the residents of Salcombe, consists of 14 retirement flats that can be applied for by members of the local community.

The town's council is open to facilitating conversations that could prevent elderly residents from being forced out of Woodcot. They are concerned that the sale of Woodcot might discourage similar generous donors in the future. Elizabeth Jennings, a local philanthropist, donated Woodcot to the Plymouth Guild of Social Services in 1976, which was later passed on to Help the Aged (now Age UK).

A petition has been launched to prevent the sale of Woodcot and transfer it to another charity, gathering over 2,500 signatures as of last week. The Digital Content Director & Travel Editor of the platform, Rosie Paterson, has joined the cause, expressing her support for the preservation of this historic property.

Rosie Paterson, who studied Art History at university, has made a name for herself in the travel industry. She has written for prestigious platforms such as Mr & Mrs Smith and The Gentleman's Journal, and has been invited to judge a travel media award and chair live discussions on the London property market, sustainability, and luxury travel trends. She joined the platform's team in July 2014 and has since edited the magazine's special Queen's Platinum Jubilee issue and coordinated the platform's own 125th birthday celebrations.

Woodcot has a rich history, with notable figures such as James Froude, a well-known historian, and Alfred Lord Tennyson, a famous poet, having been guests at the property at different points in time.

As the Woodcot Foundation works towards saving this historic property, the future of Woodcot remains uncertain. However, the community's efforts to preserve this cherished piece of local history continue to gain momentum.

Elderly residents of Salcombe were guaranteed a lifelong residence within this listed villa, but the charity that received the gift is considering selling it.