'Frustration' as Exeter fire-hit hotel saga drags on

Council cautious about raising public hopes

The redevelopment of a historic Exeter hotel destroyed by fire eight years ago is no nearer to starting.

The Royal Clarence Hotel on Cathedral Green was raized to the ground on 28 October 2016, and the remaining structure has been a boarded-up eyesore ever since.

Planning permission was given to owners Southwest Lifestyle Brands for a £17 million redevelopment in 2022, with the promise of luxury flats, a restaurant and a bar.

It had been rumoured that work could start next spring, but it has been followed by claims the project would suffer further delays.

Urgent work has been undertaken to reduce the height of surviving chimneys and install scaffolding to stabalise the remains of the hotel. Water is also being pumped out.

Cllr Diana Moore (Green, St Davids) asked a recent city council committee meeting questions about the issue, saying it is time the owners made progress on a site that had become ‘a toothless hole in Exeter’s smile’.

Cllr Matthew Vizard (Lab, Newton and St Leonards) said ‘some progress’ had been made, and the owners checked the site weekly.

But, he said: “The council cannot currently provide a specific start date for the construction works.”

He said the council is ‘cautious’ about raising public expectations that the work would begin next spring, but would continue to encourage the developers towards ‘timely progression’.

At a meeting of the full city council, Cllr Liz Pole (Lab, Mincinglake and Whipton) said: “Do we have any legal powers to compel that action to move forwards?

“There is nothing extra the council can do at this stage. The site is secure and there is no danger to the public.

“But we understand the frustration of the community around this, and will keep it under review.”