Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: marketing of Drill Hall to coincide with draft Neighbourhood Plan
The Herald reports on the Town Council meeting:
Councillors call for refurbishments at Port Royal after scaled-back vision revealed
10 February 2018
Stephen Sumner
The Sidmouth Lifeboat station, sailing club and Drill Hall at Port Royal
Civic leaders are calling for Sidmouth Sailing Club and the seafront toilets to be refurbished as part of a scaled-back vision to regenerate Port Royal.
A scoping study for the site revealed numerous constraints so East Devon District Council (EDDC) is focusing its attention on marketing the Drill Hall, meaning it could become a bar or restaurant.
Sidmouth Town Council wants to see the neighbouring premises brought up to scratch – a desire shared by Sidmouth Sailing Club bosses, who say the uncertainty about their future has left them in ‘turmoil’.
Speaking at a meeting on Monday, Councillor Paul Wright said: “That part of Sidmouth has been an eyesore for a long time. We asked the consultant to look at all the options, but for some reason his focus was on one thing – putting a massive block up. We have missed an opportunity – if we just do the Drill Hall, everything else will be left to deteriorate.”
While the scoping study was under way, campaigners formed a group to ‘retain, refurbish and reuse’ the buildings at Port Royal.
Cllr Ian Barlow said: “Just shouting about it doesn’t solve anything. Finding a solution takes leadership and cooperation. The Three Rs group have done all the talking – now let’s see some action.”
Cllr Louise Cole suggested that EDDC should transfer the Drill Hall to the community as ‘recompense for the decision about Knowle’. She emphasised the importance of the Neighbourhood Plan and said the development could include a community space, but members warned against ‘diluting’ the offering in the town’s other venues.
Cllr Michael Earthey proposed that marketing of the Drill Hall is delayed until after March 1, when the draft Neighbourhood Plan is due to be put out to consultation. He said doing so would stop any developer claiming it is only ‘emerging’ and ignoring the policies it contains.
Town clerk Christopher Holland said: “We can request what we like, but it will be EDDC to make up their own minds. We wanted to get involved, and we took a lot of flak for that. We heard what the public had to say, and dare I say EDDC have heard as well. EDDC has to look at the whole district. They want a return on their money. We have to make sure we are still in the room.”
Councillors call for refurbishments at Port Royal after scaled-back vision revealed | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
And the Express & Echo reports on the latest District Council meeting:
High quality restaurant and a bar plan for Sidmouth seafront site - and improvements around The Ham to follow
East Devon District Council’s cabinet on Wednesday night agreed to endorse plans that would see a high quality restaurant / bar development proposal marketed for the Port Royal site – and would see the existing lifeboat and sailing clubs remain
Daniel Clark 9 FEB 2018
The Drill Hall site on Sidmouth seafront will be marketed to developers to come up with ideas for a high quality restaurant and a bar.
East Devon District Council’s cabinet on Wednesday night agreed to endorse plans that would see a high quality restaurant / bar development proposal marketed for the Port Royal site – and would see the existing lifeboat and sailing clubs remain in place.
Initially a scheme that could have seen 30 flats that stand five storeys high as part of the redevelopment were included as an option but proved unpopular and a petition of nearly 2,000 signatures called for an alternative approach.
Drill Hall, Sidmouth
And calls were also made by Sidmouth Town Council to ensure that East Devon District Council refurbishes the existing sailing club, lifeboat station and seafront toilets when the Drill Hall’s future is decided.
And calls were also made by Sidmouth Town Council to ensure that East Devon District Council refurbishes the existing sailing club, lifeboat station and seafront toilets when the Drill Hall’s future is decided.
READ MORE
Restaurant and bar plan for run down Sidmouth seafront site
Cllr Jeff Turner, of Sidmouth Town Council, said: “It will provide opportunities for renewal of the Drill Hall site and, in particular, the possibility of our seafront benefitting from the new restaurant and bar attractions that emerged as popular choices in responses to the scoping study and the Sid Valley Neighbourhood Plan surveys.
“The town council are keen to see the Port Royal Club (known as the Sailing Club) flourish and we should work together to improve the facilities and extend the lease and refurbish the public conveniences at the site. We should the recommendations and we will focus on improvements and raising of the standards to the Fisherman’s shed, the fish shop area, as well as The Ham.”
Port Royal in Sidmouth (from the Ham Lane junction)
But he added: “We were however a little bit disappointed scoping study carried out last year didn’t go further and there should have been some more blue sky thinking about the area.”
But he added: “We were however a little bit disappointed scoping study carried out last year didn’t go further and there should have been some more blue sky thinking about the area.”
READ MORE
Sidmouth cliff top homes creeping towards destruction as 'a metre a year' lost to the sea
Cllr Cathy Gardner added: “I am very pleased not facing a block of flats, which we might have been facing if the Local Plan allocation had been given the go-ahead.”
Cllr Paul Diviani, Leader of East Devon District Council, said: “Sidmouth has waited long enough to see something happen on this site and both councils want to see improvement and new attractions for Sidmouthians and visitors alike. Both councils have worked exceptionally well together on this project.”
It was agreed that any future developer should support the social and economic benefits to the area. They should be encouraged to take into consideration Sidmouth’s historic buildings to the sea and designs should be aspirational to encourage community, heritage and cultural benefits.
Sidmouth beach
Deputy Chief Richard Cohen assured councillors that the Council would look at a mixed criteria when considering purchase offers and a six month marketing period would allow both commercial and non-commercial interests to come forward.
Deputy Chief Richard Cohen assured councillors that the Council would look at a mixed criteria when considering purchase offers and a six month marketing period would allow both commercial and non-commercial interests to come forward.
The cabinet agreed that to take to market the vacant Drill Hall site with a view to securing an appropriate development proposition and capital receipt for the benefit of taxpayers of East Devon, be agreed and that the marketing exercise be carried out in such a way as to allow commercial and non-commercial bids to come forward.
High quality restaurant and a bar plan for Sidmouth seafront site - and improvements around The Ham to follow - Devon Live
And yet, looking at future development of Port Royal, the feedback from the Neighbourhood Plan consultations showed not a lot of enthusiasm for 'restaurants and bars':
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: demand for cafes and restaurants come a poor third
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