No permanent car park’ pledge on Exeter gateway site

'There should be an open call for ideas'

Hundreds of ideas have already been put forward for temporary ways to use what is being described as a ‘gateway’ piece of land in Exeter city centre.

Using the former bus station off Sidwell Street as a car park is just one of the ideas for ways of keeping the site in use while major redevelopment plans are drawn up. Others include pop-up theatre events, buskers and an open-air market.

The city council is considering a car park as a ‘meanwhile’ use, generating some short-term income.

But, said Cllr Duncan Wood (Lab, Pinhoe): “There never was, and never will be, a plan for a permanent car park there.”

Members of the executive committee heard that it could take several years to work up a long-term plan for the ‘strategically important’ council-owned land, and a use should be found for it in the meantime.

Eventually it will be called City Point, and will be a development of homes and businesses.

Cllr Bob Foale (Lab, Alphington) said the Phoenix Arts organisation had come up with the theatre, buskers and markets ideas, and Cllr Diana Moore (Green, St Davids) added: “There should be an open call for ideas for this site.

“We did it, and there were over 200 ideas put forward.”

Council leader Phil Bialyk (Lab, Exwick) said a full consultation on any uses for the land would take place.

“Nothing is being ruled in, and nothing is being ruled out,” he said. “I see this as an opportunity.

“We’ve got an important space in the middle of the city, and now we have to engage all the interested stakeholders on what we are going to do with it.”