Selection criteria approved for Queen’s Drive Leisure Area

East Devon District Council’s Cabinet agreed the selection criteria that will be used when considering bids for the development of the Queen’s Drive Leisure Area, the prime nine-acre site on Exmouth’s seafront, at their meeting on 2 April.

The site is currently being marketed following outline planning approval obtained in December 2013 for the development of the site into a recreation and leisure zone.

East Devon District Council owns the site and is looking for one or more developer to take the site forward. Now Cabinet has agreed the criteria to be used to decide which proposals are put forward for further work to be done. The proposals should provide a quality, attractive mixed-use development that will attract visitors and residents to the seafront for leisure purposes in line with the outline planning consent and the Exmouth Vision masterplan.

A scoring matrix assessing each element of any bid will be used by the shortlisting panel that includes three councillors from the Exmouth Project Executive: Cllr Andrew Moulding (deputy leader of East Devon District Council and chair of the Exmouth Regeneration Programme Board), Cllr Tim Wood (Exmouth, Littleham and Exmouth Town Council) and Cllr John Humphreys, Mayor of Exmouth, along with East Devon District Council’s Deputy Chief Executive and the Principal Regeneration Manager.

Councillor Andrew Moulding said: “We’re hoping to see a range of quality bids for a mix of leisure uses. We want to see better facilities, all year round and in all weathers, ones that are attractive and sustainable, and at the right price. We are also keen to hear from local businesses and existing tenants. I am very much looking forward to an exciting future for this key site for residents and visitors to enjoy for many years to come”.

Key elements of any successful bid will be commercial viability, sustainability and accessibility, especially in meeting the needs of all ages of both visitors and residents. The existing road is to be realigned to the rear of the site to give better access to the beach. A safety tower must also be included in any proposal.

Informal tenders are being invited via a national marketing campaign. All existing tenants have also been written to inviting interest. The site runs from the old lifeboat station to the far edge of the existing Queen’s Drive car park. Detailed planning consent will be required before construction can begin.

Queen’s Drive Leisure Area is a key development within the Exmouth Vision to establish the resort as an attractive 21st century destination for residents, businesses and visitors.