Knowle relocation project >>> still many questions re costs >>> 'flogging off at a huge loss'

The exact costs of the relocation project are still shrouded in clouds of opaque obscurity:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project >>> still many questions re costs ... and "failing to provide full and open scrutiny over how taxpayers’ money is being spent"

With a Freedom of Information request again stymied:
Costs of Knowle Relocation Project - a Freedom of Information request to East Devon District Council - WhatDoTheyKnow

The District Council doth protest too much - when it comes to other bodies' spending:
And Councillor Moulding might be advised to watch his words too! | East Devon Watch
People in glass houses would be well advised not to throw stones | East Devon Watch

The East Devon Watch blog reminds us of the spending of this particular body - on that relocation project - and the still-unanswered questions:


WHATEVER HAPPENED TO … KNOWLE RELOCATION COSTS?

2 NOV 2016

Given that Exmouth’s regeneration plan costs have more than doubled from £1.5m to £3.2m (see below) and part of that cost is said to be the development costs rising, whatever happened to Knowle relocation costs?

Exmouth overspend and its worrying ramifications | East Devon Watch

First it was going to be cost neutral …
Then it was going to cost an extra £4 million …
The latest estimate (some time ago) had the extra cost at £9.7 million

Since then:

… labour costs have increased (minimum wage rise)
… skilled labour is less available (migrants choosing not to come or being sucked into Hinkley C, our older skilled workers retiring and not being replaced by youngsters with the required training due to skills gap)
… imported raw materials costs have risen enormously due to the falling pound
… Community Infrastructure Levy to be paid

Of course, EDDC could build prefab offices to keep down costs, just as the government intends to do with housing …

“Wave of prefab homes planned to tackle UK housing crisis” | East Devon Watch

Suddenly Knowle looks much more attractive in that bright autumn sun, with its lovely park and the view of the sea …

Oh, wait … it’s been flogged off for luxury retirement housing.



3 thoughts on “Whatever happened to … Knowle relocation costs?”

 Paul F says:
2 Nov 2016 at 9:56am

I can’t remember what the size of the Honiton + Exmouth offices was but smaller than Knowle if I remember.

So couldn’t they just close off the older ex-hotel parts of the Knowle and just use the newer purpose built offices?

Oh, wait … it’s been flogged off for luxury retirement housing – and let’s not forget that if it is no longer cost neutral, that means that it has been flogged off AT A LOSS.

Oh – and since the non-existent business case included a large element of extremely inflated costs that would have to be spent on the Knowle (if I remember correctly the Owl reported on the refurbishment of an historic castle done for less), it has been flogged off at a HUGE LOSS.

Relocation from the Knowle - a Freedom of Information request to East Devon District Council - WhatDoTheyKnow


 Conrad Black says:
2 Nov 2016 at 8:16pm

Ah, now I wonder if it has yet been sold at all. Is it just within the bounds of possibility that it hasn’t been sold at all until the developer has actual planning permission for exactly what they want? After all, why would a developer want to take any risk when they can have a one-way bet and guaranteed profit. I wonder where that information might be found.


 East Devon Watch says:
2 Nov 2016 at 8:55pm

There is an agreement to buy at the initial price if planning permission is achieved within a specified time period. See post above for update.

Whatever happened to … Knowle relocation costs? | East Devon Watch
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