The bulldozed Exeter Bus Station site will be transformed into a multi-million-pound development featuring homes, shops and public spaces, city councillors have been assured.
Use of the land off Paris Street as a proposed car park is a short-term solution, writes Local Democracy Reporter Guy Henderson.
Exeter City Council leader Phil Bialyk pledged to colleagues that any other suggestions were ‘a little bit of nonsense’.
Although there are proposals to use the cleared space as a car park, Councillor Bialyk stressed this would not be permanent.
Cllr Bialyk was challenged about the future of the old bus station during a meeting of the city council.
He was asked if there were any better ideas for the plot other than using it as a car park.
Cllr Bialyk said the debate was ‘disappointing’, adding: “It has always been the intention of this council to work with partners to redevelop the site.
“Five years ago it was estimated to cost £350million. We haven’t got that money, so we have to work with partners.
“It’s a bit silly to say we’re going to put a permanent car park right in the middle of our city centre, which clearly needs to be regenerated.
Is that the extent of the aspirations of this council? A car park? Of course it isn’t.
“It will be a major project, and it will take time.”
He said there may be ‘pop-up’ shops on the land at some stage, but in the meantime the council could make money for the city’s coffers by using it as a short-term car park.
