The bill for doing up the town council- owned Butterwalk flat at the centre of a row is going to stack up at just under £50,000.

But the council will be able to get £15,000 of that back through a district council grant for allowing the large second floor flat to be rented out to a family on the housing waiting list.

But the move has angered Dartmouth Museum trustees who were banking on renting the flat themselves so that the museum could expand into it.

The future of the flat above the museum divided councillors as some opted for the museum use while the others voted to grab the grant by signing up to South Hams Council's Direct Lets Scheme – enabling the district council to take over the running of the flat and find a tenant.

In return, the town council gets a £700 a month a share of the rent.

Before that can happen, the flat, which has been empty for two years, has got to be totally redecorated and refurbished with a new kitchen, two bathrooms and the installation of gas central heating.

The Dartmouth firm of Dean Martin has won the contract for the job at a cost of £48,936.

The work is now due to start on the flat soon.