THE Diocese of Bath and Wells has announced that it is going to buy the office building owned by Aster Communities at Cathedral Park to use for its offices when it moves out of The Old Deanery.

It was originally going to relocate to new purpose-built offices at Cathedral Park, on the outskirts of Wells, but changed its plans when Flourish House became available.

Contracts were exchanged on March 19, with completion set for later this year, and Aster moving out and the diocese relocating by early 2020 after work has been completed on an internal re-fit of the building.

Diocesan Secretary Nick May said: "We are delighted to have agreed the purchase of Flourish House. We can now move forward with our plans for an excellent working environment for staff and enhanced facilities to support the work of our parishes and schools across the diocese."

Bishops Council decided to relocate from The Old Deanery on Cathedral Green in June 2018. The decision was based on relocating to new purpose-built offices, but when Flourish House became available, the diocese investigated the viability of this new option and decided that this was the preferred choice.

"Flourish House meets all the requirements and aspirations we have for our new offices with the clear advantage that, as an existing building, it represents a significant saving and less risk than a new-build project," said Mr May.

The Old Deanery will now officially be placed on the market.