[1] In January 1923, the house was purchased by Miss Violet Wills of Torquay, and donated to Exeter City Council for the sole purpose of being used as a sanatorium for children suffering from tuberculosis.

[1] In 1945, a child welfare centre (including ante and post-natal clinics) was built on the grounds of Honeylands.

[1][5] The centre offered both residential and community care services to children with "a handicapping condition".

[1] The Honeylands centre was frequently mentioned as an example of best practice management for children with learning difficulties.

[8] The healthcare facility was closed in 2012, although the Vranch House School remains operational on another part of the site.