Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director Finance.

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council approve the provision of the sum of £900,000 for the purpose of funding the demolition of the former Exeter Bus Station.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

The Executive received the report which sought funding to advance the demolition of the former Exeter Bus Station building in preparation for interim uses to be brought forward before the wider regeneration of the CityPoint site.

The City Surveyor reported that, as the new bus station has been operational for some time and the temporary uses of the upper and lower aprons during the construction of St. Sidwell’s Point had also been reduced, it was the intention to now bring forward demolition of the redundant facility allowing the City Council to have a cleared site on which to introduce a range of “meanwhile” uses.

A bid would be made to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund to demolish and replace the old Bus Station until the longer-term scheme could be delivered. If the bid was successful then the demolition would be funded from Capital Grant. Alternatively, the demolition would be funded from the surplus income generated from the acquisition of the Guildhall Shopping Centre.

Particular reference was made to:-

·         the alternative approach of mothballing the site would be costly and prevent exploration of a range of “meanwhile” uses whilst the CityPoint scheme moves forward;

·         the proposal would remove a significant constraint to the future re-development of the wider CityPoint site; and

·         “meanwhile” uses would help animate the area adjoining the new leisure centre.

RECOMMENDED that Council approve the provision of the sum of £900,000 for the purpose of funding the demolition of the former Exeter Bus Station.