Leaving no stone unturned, the film about Woodcot made at Salcombe Church where the community turned out to share their memories of Woodcot and Miss Jennings, has been sent to the King in his capacity as Patron of Age UK.
It is hard to imagine that the King views what is happening with Woodcot with undiluted pleasure.
We don’t know yet what HM thinks about the film but we do know that Age UK have seen it and are apparently unmoved by the community’s concerns.
So, 2026 is the deadline that Age UK keep on repeating like a mantra. As that day is fast approaching let’s look at where things stand…
The application by local charity to get Woodcot listed as an Asset of Community Value ( ACV) under the Localism Act will be decided on 2nd January 2026.
Age UK have submitted an objection to the ACV application.
Woodcot had a condition survey and valuation in November. Age UK have declined to provide the valuation, only that it is "several millions". The valuation will not be disclosed in Age UK's annual report or otherwise. However, if sold, the sale price will be publicly known upon registration at the Land Registry.
It is hard to see who could buy Woodcot with a restrictive covenant on it and six elderly residents still living there but when pressed on this Age UK are evasive.
The covenant requiring Woodcot to be run as a residential home for the elderly is still in place and can only be removed if Age UK apply to HM Land Tribunal.
Woodcot's value turns on three factors: (1) highest value if the restrictive covenants are released by consent or by the Land Tribunal, (2) lower value if the restrictive covenants remain in place and sold with vacant possession, and (3) lowest value if the restrictive covenants remain in place and tenants are in situ.
When Alisdair Stewart Age UK’s director of National Services was asked about the future of the residents- who let’s not forget are beneficiaries of the covenant - his reply was telling: "we've heard loud and clear the concern from the wider community about Woodcot's tenants. The tenants are at the forefront of our thinking. We are exploring what we can achieve. No notice to tenants has been given and nothing will happen until next year."
2026 is just around the corner, it’s anybody’s guess what the outcome of all this will be but what is certain is this: thanks to this petition, everyone who has signed it, donated to the cause, turned up to the event has spoken truth to power.
Whether or not power is listening remains to be seen.
Merry Christmas everyone.
To watch the film go to:-
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FpB7iVcc6/?mibextid=wwXIfr