Exeter given £6m boost for major projects
More money than anywhere else in England - for plans around the Cathedral and Quay and Mary Arches car parks,
Exeter has been awarded more money than anywhere else in England for projects that will help use land for new homes and jobs.
Devon and Torbay have been awarded more than £8.4 million of Government funding to help drive economic recovery, with Exeter receiving just under £6m.
Cash will go towards huge plans for the centre of Exeter around the Cathedral and Quay and Mary Arches car parks, as well as for Bonhay Meadows, Belle Isle and Exeter Canal Basin.
Projects in Exeter, Newton Abbot, Dawlish, Brixham, Torquay and Ilfracombe have all been backed through the One Public Estate programme to deliver initiatives which create economic growth by unlocking land for new homes and jobs.
Cllr Rufus Gilbert, Devon County Council’s cabinet member for economic recovery and skills, said: “The Devon and Torbay OPE Partnership has successfully received the full amount of its bid in this latest round of funding, highlighting the benefits of working closely together.
“All of these schemes will regenerate and redevelop sites to open up opportunities for housing and economic growth as we look to ensure a strong recovery right across Devon.”
The successful bids are:
EXETER
Exeter City Council has been awarded £5,966,470 for the following sites:
Cathedral and Quay car park
• Mary Arches car park
• Bonhay Meadows
• Belle Isle
• Exeter Canal Basin
Exeter Cathedral and Quay car park (Image: Daniel Clark)
Cllr Laura Wright, Deputy Leader of Exeter City Council, said: “This is excellent news for Exeter. This funding will help kick-start some very innovative housing projects which have been identified for key strategic sites in Exeter.
"We need to create more quality homes in the city but, to protect the greenfield ridges surrounding Exeter, we need to prioritise building on previously developed brownfield sites.
"So it is excellent news that the funding is now in place to further progress these important schemes.”
