Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the City Surveyor.

Place Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 17 January 2019 and its comments will be reported.

The City Surveyor advised that following on from Place Scrutiny Committee he had discussed matters further with the Exeter Homes Trust. He had been advised that the Trust’s architect had not said that the proposed scheme could be accessed from Fairpark Road. Discussions with planning and highways officers had suggested that this might prove problematic and the additional costs would put pressure on the scheme’s viability, requiring a significant wall breach and retaining structures. Devon County Council highways advice was that a Fairpark Road solution would not add the highway benefits of the turning head solution.

The Trust had also advised that the funding allocation from Homes England which underpined the scheme viability assumed completion of the scheme within the current grant programme. The Trust had advised that this implied a target completion date in December 2020 which, with a projected build programme of 18 months required a summer 2019 start. In view of the fact that a redesign was required to access from Fairpark Road before submission of a revised scheme, there was a danger of the funding allocation being lost.

Councillor Sills, Chair of Place Scrutiny Committee, having given notice under Standing Order No.44, spoke on this item. He commented that Place Scrutiny Committee opposed the sale of the land and that little new information had been presented since the Committee had taken place. The object of the sale of land was the impact on the volume of traffic to area and there were still alternative options that Exeter Homes Trust could explore. He asked for all options to be explored and that Place Scrutiny Committee were clear that they did not want this piece of land to be sold.

The Portfolio Holder for Support Services moved an amendment to the recommendation that the land should only be disposed of to create an extension to the highway if planning permission was granted.

The City Surveyor clarified the Council position with regards to the delegated powers in relation to the disposal of park land.

Councillor N Vizard, having given notice under Standing Order No.44, spoke on this item. She referred to the views of Liveable Exeter that streets, spaces and parks that link neighbourhoods to the city centre should be safe and attractive and encourage active and healthy lifestyles. Whilst the majority of residents and ward councillors, supported the development of the  Almshouses by the Exeter Homes Trust they opposed the sale of Council land for the sole purpose of creating a turning circle and three visitors parking bays. Given road safety concerns and the impact of construction traffic she supported a pedestrian access only solution suggesting that three dedicated car parking spaces for Fairpark Almshouses could be set aside in the adjacent Council owned car park. With letters from 211 local residents and petitions of 300+ and 400+ signatures, opposition was significant. She advocated support for the Place Scrutiny Committee recommendation to refuse sale of the land and to work with Exeter Homes Trust to bring forward the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22

To consider the report of the City Surveyor.

Councillors M Vizard and N Vizard attended the meeting having given notice under Standing Order 44 to speak on this item.

The City Surveyor presented the report, which followed a request by Exeter Homes Trust Ltd, to purchase an area of Bull Meadow Park at the end of Temple Road to enable the redevelopment of the existing scheme of 12 almshouses, to provide 31 almshouses. The land to be purchased was shown in the circulated report, which also showed the location of Bull Meadow Park, detail of the proposed turning head and its location within Bull Meadow Park. There were no strategic or operational reasons for retaining the land and that the proposed use was acceptable to both Planning and Parks teams.

The City Surveyor explained that disposal of non-strategic land were normally delegated to him in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer. The intention was to build a public highway turning head, which had been considered to be the best option to support the re-development of the almshouses site. A provisional agreement had been reached with Exeter Homes Trust, subject to planning consent.

However, due to the high volume of interest from local residents, following the advertisement to sell the land, the level of objections and notably a petition received, it was his view that the decision on the principle of disposal required Member consideration at the Place Scrutiny for decision by Executive Committee.

Councillor Speaking Under Standing Order 44

Councillor N Vizard commented that there had been an unprecedented opposition to the sale of the land, but expressed her thanks to the City Surveyor for opening up the decision to Members. She requested Members of the Place Scrutiny Committee to not support the request for Exeter City Council to sell the land at Bull Meadow Park.

There had been an overwhelming public objection and she emphasised the importance for Members to acknowledge the opposition from local residents, stakeholders and community leaders to refuse the sale. She noted that the report could be misleading, as it did not show the open space and the area designated by the zip wire, which had reduced the area of green space available for multi-use sports and community activities.

Councillor N Vizard explained that the area was a vital community open space, which needed to be retained and was not a small area of land to be disposed of, which would have a cruel impact on the community, which was already concerned about other land in the area, with no indication of resolution. The area was used by local residents and visitors for various community activities such as dog walking, ball sports and picnics.

There had been an unprecedented negative community response to the notification to sell the land, with additional responses mentioned in the report, and another 400 signatures provided in a paper petition. She stated that Members must weigh up the merits of the retention of public open green spaces against the development of the almshouses. The developers  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7