NOT the design – just a warning!

The headline appears above an article which suggests that Cranbrook developers will now get away with financing “one multi-use building” (cheap) instead of the larger number of (more expensive) single-use buildings they were supposed to construct!

The part of the article not reproduced is the second half where DCC councillors (including former EDDC Leader Sarah Randall-Johnson) desperately try to pretend this is good news.

“… The multi-purpose building would provide flexible space for children’s, youth, adult and library services with potential use for public health and highways services, as well as space for the town council.

The trigger point for the provision of the children’s centre facilities– 2,000 home occupations – has been met which means the Cranbrook consortium of developers have to construct the children’s centre facilities no later than June 10, 2021.

The existing planning agreement also requires them to provide town council offices in the town centre by June 2021, and youth facilities and a library when the 3,450 home is occupied, currently expected to be in 2025.

Devon County Council’s cabinet on Wednesday morning though unanimously agreed to try and renegotiate the agreement so that the multi-purpose building can be built, and subject to funding, should be complete within the next two years.

It would be built on land that is supposed to be the town centre, but currently remains an empty green space.

Cllr Rufus Gilbert, cabinet member for economy and skills, said that bringing forward the delivery of the library and the youth services would provide the town with the services that it needed. He added negotiations were still ongoing, but he enthusiastically welcomed the move, saying: ”
“The existing agreement is for these key services – the library, youth and a children’s centre facilities – to be built over the next two to six years.

“But as the town is continuing to grow, especially noting the high proportion of families with young children and need for additional support, we must bring them forward.

“We believe that our proposed integrated community facilities building in Cranbrook’s town centre is the best way to provide these required facilities.

“It would allow residents to benefit sooner, and give us greater control over the design and delivery of the facilities.” …”

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/cranbrook-town-centre-within-years-3414376