Further frustration for REL

There was further frustration today for Rolle Exmouth Ltd after the community organisation was forced suspend community activities.

It is the latest stage in a saga which has taken more twists and turns than a Devon country lane.

REL, has been working since 2010 to make the vacant Rolle College site sustainable as a long-term education, community and business asset for the town.

However, Plymouth University, the current owner, has struck a deal to sell its asset to the Exeter Deaf Academy which plans to create a state-of-the-art campus in Exmouth.

This news came as a shock to REL and East Devon District Council.

An EDDC spokesperson said at the time: “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.”

And today it emerged that REL had been forced to suspend community activities.

A notice posted at the site said: “We regret to say that Plymouth University has not signed the extension to our licence for the Owen Building to be used by the community. The licence extension was for the period October 1 to November 30 2016. This news came through late this afternoon.

"Our solicitors are trying to ensure this agreement to extend is signed ASAP. However, until we have the agreement in place we are suspending our activity on the site as we would not want there to be any doubt at all that we were ready to provide vacant possession.”