EDCC 'surprised' by Exeter Deaf Academy deal

East Devon District Council says news that Exeter Deaf Academy is in the frame to take over the Rolle College site in Exmouth came as a surprise to many at the authority, including some who learnt of the deal through the media first. 

EDDC has issued this statement:

Exmouth is a priority for the Council  and we are keen to hear more about the proposals that would bring the Deaf Academy to Exmouth.  This is an important opportunity for the site and the town, so we are concerned and disappointed that Plymouth University has only made known this change of plans through the media without engagement with those who have put their hard work and best intentions into developing valuable and viable uses for parts of the site.

Cllr Phil Skinner, Chairman of the Exmouth Regeneration Board, said: “The Council has been a long time supporter of Rolle Enterprise Limited and their plans for the use of the Owen Building and wider space on the former college site.  The new direction for the site involving the Deaf Academy adds a dimension that we want to understand better. 

"The Council has supported Rolle Exmouth Ltd’s (REL) long running plans for part of the site and we will hold a working group  to have a dialogue with the Academy, REL and interested parties as appropriate to explore the opportunities and implications that arise from this announcement."

This is an evolving situation and the Council will be expecting further information to be made known especially by Plymouth University.  We presume that there will also be a revised planning process to get underway between the applicant and the planning authority.