An ambitious project to turn the former site of Rolle College into a multi-use centre for Exmouth and the surrounding area is still on course and making significant strides towards a positive outcome, those behind the plans have said.
The latest proposals would deliver the original objectives of education and training, community and arts, and business support, including start-up workspace, with an element of housing to help the project to be sustainable.
The project team believes it is closing in on a viable solution that not only delivers the aims of Rolle Exmouth Ltd (REL) but also meets the needs of the current site owners Plymouth University (PU).
In the coming weeks Plymouth University and the REL board will be working with their advisers towards gaining planning approval that would transform this prime site, important for the future of Exmouth because of its history, location and size, into an exciting mixed-use hub.
They also aim to recruit new members to the board to bring extra skills to a venture that from now on looks to be increasing in complexity and picking up speed, with an additional need to form a trading company to drive the project forward.
At the recent annual general meeting of REL, the not-for-profit social enterprise company set up to lead the project, shareholders heard how the pace of progress and work with the university has been maintained and will accelerate in the next few months.
At the end of 2013 REL worked with a Plymouth-based developer to produce a mixed-use development plan in conjunction with a local architect.
Plymouth University initially rejected this proposal, but negotiations led to a new approach, with the university proposing to collaborate with REL in developing the whole site to meet the objectives of both organisations.
This proposal was put to the Special General Meeting of REL shareholders in April 2014. Shareholders endorsed it and authorised the board to go ahead with the partnership and to continue its close engagement with the local community.
Founder member Roy Pryke told the AGM he would be retiring as chairman after four years in the role but would remain on the board, which has elected Deborah Hallett to succeed him.
Roy Pryke expressed his appreciation of the support from shareholders and local authorities, which had enabled REL in the past four years to achieve its current promising position and to look ahead with optimism.
He said: "It's been challenging but rewarding. We are now making a step-change in the nature and level of our activity and I look forward to working with Deborah Hallett and the other directors on some exciting developments in the next few years."
Deborah said: "REL now needs to develop its business plan, with particular reference to establishing the feasibility of its proposals."
She explained that there was also a need to strengthen the board and develop a trading company. She added: "This will require very strong candidates, prepared to undertake operational responsibilities."
REL has applied for substantial funding from the Government's Strategic Investment Board (SIB) to support the work to be done in the coming year and the response has been encouraging. Deborah expects that the board will receive the offer of a grant within the next month or so.
She confirmed that the aspiration remains to establish a coherent mixed-use site which makes financial sense, while ensuring that the key objectives are attained, adding that in this way REL can provide tailored facilities to meet the researched needs of Exmouth, closely targeted on the agreed vision. There will also be an element of residential development on part of the site.
She added: "The whole project will be suited to the needs of Exmouth and the creation of real jobs."
