Campaigners want to stop County Hall land sell-off

133 objections to planned disposal

Campaigners are urging a major rethink over plans to sell part of the grounds at Devon’s County Hall.

Local residents and politicians want the county council to halt the planned sale of an area of land at the authority’s headquarters as they believe a more comprehensive strategy is needed for the whole site rather than carving out parcels of land for sale.

GP and St Leonards resident Will Duffin said the area marked for potential sale previously had temporary buildings there, known as the Matford offices, and that an application last year for their demolition stipulated their footprint be grassed over for five years.

“This sale doesn’t appear to be part of any wider strategy,” Mr Duffin said.

“And this only came to light as the council put a very small public notice in the local press stating they were planning to sell this plot off, and gave three weeks for people to submit objections.

“It wasn’t a consultation or a meaningful exercise in seeking the local community’s views.”

A report on the proposed sale of the Matford offices land is due to be discussed at Friday’s (9 February) cabinet.

The paper that will be put in front of councillors will show 133 objections to the proposed sale, with the most common objections that the site is in a conservation area and shouldn’t be built on, and that there are other, better ways for the authority to raise money.

Mr Duffin said the open space across the County Hall grounds was a cherished amenity for local families, schools and community organisations, and that he felt there should be a “broader conversation” about the potential future for the site.

Exeter city councillor Andy Ketchin (Green Party, Newtown & St Leonards), has written to the council, saying many residents are “hugely disappointed” about the proposal, and that its location, including the fact it is surrounded by protected trees, “diminishes the value potential of the plot”.

“The site is not earmarked for development in the Exeter Local Plan consultation,” he said in his letter.

“There has already been a steep increase in housing in the local area through the St Leonards quarter, with a resulting increased pressure on local assets, which are further material considerations.”

He added that given the need for both Devon and Exeter councils to cut costs, it might make sense to consider whether both authorities could use the same site.

“Exeter City Council are looking to move out of the now oversized Civic Centre,” he said.

“Building a new facility at St Sidwell’s point will have long lead times, whilst the cost of capital is expensive.  The viability of such a scheme is much diminished since first proposed.

“Exeter City Council share the same budget constraints as Devon County Council. They are a viable and natural partner in realising Devon County Council’s drive for cost reductions.”

Cllr Ketchin added it was “time to have a genuine discussion” about the potential for the County Hall site, and whether the co-location of both authorities could be an option.

Lynn Wetenhall, who is standing for the Green Party at the next local elections, said that given County Hall was between 70 and 80 per cent empty most of the time, Devon needed to consider what the long-term future of the land and the building at the site should be.

“I believe they need to stop this sale and engage in a root and branch review of the best social, economic and environmental use of that site,” she said.

“It’s a no-brainer for the county council to pause and reflect on what to do with the buildings and green space.”

She added that residents had already suggested ways the community could use the site, and pointed to the success of the Park Life Heavitree community group, which has galvanised the community around the Heavitree Pleasure Ground.

The council says out of County Hall’s five hectares, the parcel of land that could be sold off is 0.6 hectares, of which just 0.2 hectares is currently public open space.

“The curtilage identified allows for the retention of routes frequently used by walkers and dog walkers,” the report said.

“Some of the curtilage is covered by trees and the majority of these are protected. A considerable green corridor between the site and Matford Lane will be retained to allow for recreation and walking.”

The report states that possible alternative decisions for cabinet could be to not sell the site – but suggests this would “not support the council’s drive to ensure financial stability” – or to reduce the footprint of the section to be sold.