Community secure use of Rolle College site

People in Exmouth will soon be able to access and use part of the town’s former Rolle College site, it was revealed yesterday.

Community benefit society Rolle Exmouth Limited (REL) has signed a licence with the owners of the site, Plymouth University, on behalf of the Exmouth community, granting them the right to use the Owen Building.

The group is describing it as a ‘major step’ in reinvigorating the site, empty since the University relocated its Faculty of Arts and Education in 2008.

It means REL and local groups can access and start to use the building, which has been unused for seven years.

Exmouth Mayor Maddy Chapman received the keys on the steps of the Owen Building this week.

She said: “This is more than just a symbolic moment. This facility has a long history of providing top quality education for the people of Exmouth. But what is now tremendously exciting is that REL and the local community are rallying around an exciting vision of reinvigoration, looking at our education, business and community needs. This vision really seems to have struck a chord with people.”

REL intends to now set up an office for meetings with the community and local groups interested in the future of the Owen Building and site. Fundraising efforts will also be stepped up, to be able to reopen the whole Owen Building, alongside forging a consortium to purchase some or all the site for a range of education, business and community uses for the benefit of Exmouth and surrounding area.

REL chairman Deborah Hallett said: “We are delighted to have signed a licence with Plymouth University to allow us to start using the Owen Building for the good of the community. For too long this wonderful asset has sat abandoned in the heart of Exmouth.

“We are going to need to work hard and fast. We want to help ensure community groups can start using some of the space as quickly as possible, but there’s a big backlog of maintenance work and repairs needed and that’s now the immediate priority.”

A considerable amount of repairs and upgrade work is needed before the building can be fully utilised. A condition survey undertaken by the University in 2014 estimated backlog and maintenance work of at least £200,000, and the University and REL will now continue discussions over a programme of repairs. It is likely to cost another £100,000 to install equipment such as wifi, computer network and audio visual equipment.
The move comes just days before Plymouth University’s initial consultation on the site, at Ocean Esplanade on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 October, and online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/ExmouthRolle from October 2 to October 11. REL is urging people to have their say on what they would like to see happen with the site.

“Negotiations with Plymouth University about securing the best education, business and community outcomes for the site continue,” says REL Deputy Chairman Roy Pryke. “The talks are focusing on the potential transfer of key parts of the site to REL and the community, as a community benefit development offset.”

He added: “REL has been negotiating with Plymouth University to use the Owen Building since Autumn 2014. It has taken longer than anticipated but we now have a place to operate and move forward plans for the Owen Building and the site, and a base from which to engage with the Exmouth and East Devon community.

“The immediate priority is encouraging as many people as possible to have their say in the consultation. Then, we will be making sure we talk with as many interested people as possible – REL shareholders, the local community and all the other potential users of the site, to see what they want for this wonderful asset and how people can get involved.”

The licence signed between Plymouth University and REL allows REL to work from and use the Owen Building for community and REL-related activities, but does not confer any ownership or legal right to the site.