Hidden nuclear bunker is up for sale with courthouse

ANUCLEAR bunker hidden in the basement of Torquay Magistrates’ Court is up for sale.

The concrete-lined bunker, which has heavy steel doors, its own ventilation system, kitchen and toilets was built as part of the 1960s construction of the courthouse, which is on the market for £500,000.

Surveyor Kye Daniel, who is handling the sale for JLL, said: “It’s certainly one of the most unusual properties we have come across.”

Why the bunker was built is unclear though as a Ministry of Justice building and with memories fresh of the first Cold War, it is likely to have been constructed as a safe bolt hole for staff under threat from attack.

There is room after room for living quarters which are now filled with shelving, most likely used as storage for confidential information.

The bunker has its own toilets, two kitchens, heating and water system suggesting it was designed to be used for prolonged periods of time.

It even has its own escape exit onto Union Street.

The bunker isn’t unique in Devon.

In 2014, a top-secret Cold War bunker near Kingsbridge was put up for sale for £350,000 by owners Trevor Lethbridge and Derek Brooking.

It was designed to shelter local officials in the event of a Soviet nuclear strike on nearby Plymouth.

In March this year, a bunker on Dartmoor was being put up for auction with an estimate of just £28,000.

The former South West Water treatment plant was being sold by its Brixham owner who had planned to convert it.

The property had two huge underground storage tanks and works which were used for storing water off the moor and filtering it for human consumption.

In Torquay, the courthouse was vacated in September 2017 when court services were consolidated throughout the UK.

The building – which also includes 10 cells has attracted considerable interest from a host of property developers who have shown interest in converting it into quirky apartments, offices and even a church.

Mr Daniel said the site also includes the small unloading and parking area to the rear of the building.

This was once used to bring secure prison vans to and from the court house.

The whole site extends to approximately 0.118 ha (0.291acres).

Totnes magistrates court, which closed in 2011, was sold in 2017 for £237,000.