Rolle Centre development moves forward
Rolle Exmouth Limited (REL) has been awarded a grant of £99,000 by Social Investment Business (SIB) Group from the Community Ownership and Management of Assets Feasibility Fund to develop plans for the future of the Rolle Centre site.
The seven acre site remains the property of Plymouth University, but has been unoccupied since the University relocated its Faculty of Education from Exmouth to its main Plymouth Campus in 2008. The site is located just half a mile from the town centre and the sea with views over the Exe Estuary and Haldon Hills.
The vision for REL is to create a new facility for the people of Exmouth and those who live nearby, a facility that will energise the town and offer its people, whatever their age, opportunities they do not currently enjoy. The Rolle Centre site development will be at the forefront of Exmouth’s economic and cultural regeneration. REL’s vision is focused in 3 key and inter-linked areas:
- education and training for people of all ages from sixteen
- managed work-spaces for organisations and small businesses
- cultural and community opportunities
The purpose of the grant is to enable REL to assess and strengthen its capacity to purchase land and main buildings on part of the former Rolle campus from its owners Plymouth University. These funds will be invested in business planning, market development and succession planning activities. This work will deliver a plan for continued investment and commitment to the opportunity that the Rolle Centre site presents for the Exmouth and East Devon communities. The planning and feasibility work will be completed by April 2015.
REL will need to raise additional investments to secure ownership from the University of those parts of the site and retained buildings, which would be viable to operate for enterprise, education and community use.
REL have agreed with Plymouth University to a joint, collaborative programme of work leading to an application for outline planning permission for the facilities proposed. The University have committed to this approach as they feel that this is their best opportunity to successfully dispose of the site in a sustainable and socially responsible way. Detailed negotiations with the University and architects are ongoing to develop the site design in order to realise the optimum value of the site and to examine development options.
Following further local consultation, market research and assessment of options, it is anticipated that a planning application will be submitted no earlier than late Spring 2015. The grant was secured, despite strong competition from bids across the UK, as a result of a detailed and visionary application by REL’s voluntary Board Directors.
Chair of Rolle Exmouth Limited, Deborah Hallett; said “This grant now provides us with the resources to energise the project and vision. Work will move forward with Plymouth University to identif options for the site, architects have now completed the site analysis and we are now evaluating the challenges and opportunities offered by the site. The team working on the project remain committed to delivering a facility that will have wide education, enterprise and community utility. It will complement wider Exmouth Regeneration. We are under no doubt the project will require significant further funding; work is ongoing to identify sources of funding and to develop a long term business plan.
East Devon MP, Rt Hon Hugo Squire MP added: “For a number of years I have been a great supporter of Rolle Exmouth Ltd’s (REL) campaign to redevelop the Rolle buildings.
"REL’s proposals to utilise the buildings in order to provide much needed business and educational facilities would boost Exmouth’s economy and enrich the social and cultural life of the town.
"Back in April I lobbied my ministerial colleague, Eric Pickles, urging him to award REL with this significant grant and so I am naturally delighted. This extra funding will mean that REL will be able to enlist professional assistance which, I am sure, will help to achieve the redevelopment of Rolle that we all want to see.”
Sarah Jones, Director of Finance and Sustainability at Plymouth University commented; “We are delighted for REL in achieving this funding, which is testament to their determination and vision.
"This is something we fully share in our commitment to exploring all viable options to enable the University to meet its strategic business needs but to also see the educational legacy of the Rolle site live on and be rejuvenated into a community asset.
"There is much work to be done over the coming months as we work together with REL and the wider community to help realise these ambitions.”
Councillor Andrew Moulding, EDDC’s Deputy Leader and Chairman of Exmouth Regeneration Project Programme Board; said: “East Devon District Council and its partners have been working for some time to facilitate the delivery of a series of key projects that will enhance Exmouth as a place to live and a resort to visit.
“We have always backed the concept of using the Rolle site to further enhance the town’s cultural, training and business credentials and I’m delighted at the progress that the Board are making towards their goal. It’s refreshing to see this home-grown, self-help group getting the recognition it so richly deserves in the form of an SIB grant.
“I hope this is the next step towards the successful delivery of the site as a multi-functional hub for the community, which makes Exmouth a brighter, more vibrant place for residents and visitors alike. I look forward to seeing some tangible evidence of their hard work, hopefully before the end of 2015”.
Chief Executive of SIB, Mr Jonathan Jenkins said: “We were delighted to be able to help Rolle Exmouth develop their plans for this fantastic project. We hope that this grant will help the organisation develop their ideas further and get them closer to making this exciting vision a reality.”
Brian Webber, a local resident and shareholder in REL, said: “This is really encouraging news. After six years since of sustained persistence, the Rolle site is being brought into further prominence for the benefit of all the local community. This new grant is another step by the project leaders towards creating the opportunity to achieve the ultimate objectives.”
