Agenda item

To consider the report of the Strategic Director Place and Strategic Director Corporate Resources.

Agreed:

RESOLVED that the Executive note:

1)    the progress to date following the withdrawal of The Crown Estate’s interest as lead developer;

2)    that meanwhile uses for the Former Bus Station site would be considered and that officers would develop medium term uses for the site, plans for consideration, and to bring forward ideas to the Executive, having given consideration to there being no financial resources at the current stage;

3)    that officers and potential development partners (including new adjoining landowners), would work on a potential comprehensive delivery solution and present proposals to the Executive in early 2025; and

4)    that a market insight report be commissioned by officers to look at delivery options for the land within the City Council’s control.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report and as amended at the meeting.

The Executive received the report which provided a review of recent developments at the City Point site and proposed the next steps for bringing the development forward, including temporary and meanwhile uses for the former Exeter Bus Station site, until a longer-term budget had been identified.

Particular reference was made to:-

·    the Council’s long-term ambition was to enable a comprehensive regeneration of the strategically important site, which could take several years, and it was therefore important to look at bringing forward some temporary and meanwhile uses;

·    the Council owned the land and had full control, and it was important to bring some temporary and meanwhile uses forward;

·    since 2019, the original plans for a new Civic Hub in partnership with the Crown Estate had been deemed unviable with a greater focus on accommodation requirements;

·    the Fraser group had recently taken over the long-term lease of the Paris Street side of the site and discussions for long term use were being considered; and

·    City Point remained a key development opportunity and had been identified in the Exeter Plan for a range of uses, including homes, employment and a gateway to the city centre;

·    officers would be looking to explore the potential of the site, undertaking market research and engagement with interested parties to address delivery options, to bring back a proposals report to the Executive in early 2025; and

·    officers would also evaluate the condition of the former bus station site and potential meanwhile uses and the  potential to use the upper deck as a temporary car park.

During the discussion, Executive Members raised the following points and questions:-

·         clarification was sought on recommendations 2.3 and 2.4 and whether one excluded the other?

·         Further clarification was sought on recommendation 2.3 and whether the proposals coming in early 2025, were for meanwhile use or longer-term use?

·         the report highlighted the site would not be used as a carpark which was welcomed, and that the report advised that longer term use was being addressed and meanwhile use options were being looked at around available finances; and

·         the Exeter Phoenix Arts Board had expressed an interest in the site for potential pop-up theatres and markets.

Councillors Mitchell and Moore spoke on the item as opposition group leaders and raised the following points and questions:-

·         in reference to paragraph 13.2 of the report, was the Council willing to release land to a private sector developer and risk losing control of the use of land?

·         recommendation 2.2 advised officers would be making the decision, but it should be open for ideas from the community and Members.

The Leader advised that the Council would be talking to communities and options would be presented back to the Executive. The Chief Executive confirmed that officers would bring proposals forward to Members

In response to questions raised, the Strategic Director for Corporate Resources and Strategic Director for Place advised that:-

·         the process for recommendations 2.3 and 2.4 would function together;

·         the Council had complete control of the site and would be undertaking market research and bringing forward a complete comprehensive development of the whole site required close cooperation and collaboration with the Fraser Group; and

·         the Council was looking at the long-term proposals for a comprehensive development, which required the involvement of the Fraser Group.

Following the discussion, the Leader advised that recommendation 2.2 needed to be clearer, to clarify that officers would bring forward medium term meanwhile proposals back to the Executive for consideration.

The Leader moved and Councillor Wright seconded an amendment to the recommendation 2.2 to read as follows:-

(2) that meanwhile uses for the Former Bus Station site would be considered and that officers would develop medium term uses for the site, plans for consultation, and to bring forward ideas, having given consideration to there being no financial resources at the current stage.

The Leader moved the amended recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Wright, voted upon, and CARRIED unanimously.

RESOLVED that the Executive note:

1)    the progress to date following the withdrawal of The Crown Estate’s interest as lead developer;

2)    that meanwhile uses for the Former Bus Station site would be considered and that officers would develop medium term uses for the site, plans for consultation, and to bring forward ideas to the Executive, having given consideration to there being no financial resources at the current stage;

3)    that officers and potential development partners (including new adjoining landowners), would work on a potential comprehensive delivery solution and present proposals to the Executive in early 2025; and

4)    that a market insight report be commissioned by officers to look at delivery options for the land within the City Council’s control.