DEVONPORT Dockyard’s oldest surviving building is to get a new lease of life – after years of sitting empty.

The hugely significant Officer’s Terrace building dates back to 1694 and was among the first of the buildings to appear when the dockyard first sprang up.

It survived Nazi bombing strikes in World War Two but was turned into offices and then fell empty in recent years.

However, now the Grade II listed building is going to be put back into use, with a charity set to move in.

The Officer’s Terrace – also known as Bonaventure House – is to be the new home of the Plymouth Drake branch of the Sea Cadets.

The youngsters, aged between 10 and 18, have already signed up to some ‘golden rules’ – including “no running and no skylarking” inside the property in a bid to protect it.

The Ministry of Defence and dockyard operator Babcock have asked Plymouth City Council for the go-ahead to carry out alterations which will allow the historic building to be used again.

Devonport Dockyard grew out of facilities in what was originally called Plymouth Dock.

It’s construction followed a visit by King William III in 1688 – and work began three years later.

The first facilities were completed in 1693 and the Officer’s Terrace was finished the following year.

It was made up of a unified terrace of 12 or 13 separated living quarters for local Royal Navy top brass, with the Commissioner’s house was in the centre.

The building is believed to have been the first palace front terrace in the country, predating Queens Square in Bath by over 20 years.

By 1698, the 13 terraced houses for local Royal Navy top brass, were joined by 35 acres of other buildings including workshops, rope houses and stores.

The Officer’s Terrace was built under the supervision of renowned naval engineer and shipbuilder Edward Dummer.

Along with the 13 living quarters there were also smaller office blocks at each end.

However, bombing attacks in the Blitz caused massive damage to the building and only two living quarters – once houses for the clerk of the cheques and the surgeon – and an office block survived.

Several parts of the original building do, however, remain.

They include two decorative crests located in pediments above the front facades and decorative ironmongery in the windows.

The original garden and retaining walls are also still there, showing the original length of the building.

Documents submitted as part of the plans to update the Officer’s Terrace state: “For the past few years the building has been completely disused and secured.

“The modern Devonport Dockyard has grown around the house, but it remains a beacon of historical significance.

“Despite the considerable loss of much of the terrace, this is of considerable historic architectural significance as the oldest surviving building in a Royal Dockyard, as well as an early attempt at unified terrace design.”

The Plymouth Drake branch of the Sea Cadets has been based in the Dockyard’s South Yard – much of which is set to be redeveloped as part of a multi-million-pound plan to bring marine industry to the area.

In a letter submitted to the council, branch leaders said: “Plymouth Drake Sea Cadets are honoured to be given an opportunity to use Bonaventure House as our unit headquarters by the Ministry of Defence.

“Every member of the unit is aware that this building, built around 1692-1696, is a Grade II listed building which has unique classical frontage of the earliest example of a palace front terrace in Britain and is the earliest

building to survive within the Royal Dockyards.

“Whilst the children of today are taught traditional values of the Royal Navy we look to encompass the best from the past to take forward to the future.”

Anyone wishing to comment on the plans should write to the council by January 13.