£50 million Exeter project

Exeter is in line for a major development with Network Rail seeking a partner for a £50 million project adjacent to Exeter St David’s.

The 6 acre site could support more than 13,935 sq.metres (150,000 sq.ft.) of mixed use space together with a better transport interchange to mate in with Network Rail’s work on the station. There will also be a new public park.

The likelihood is that the scheme would have student accommodation, offices and a hotel. Network Rail’s plan is to fund the scheme by passing the freehold, or a long leasehold, onto the developer once two parts of the project are completed: the multi storey car park and the train crew accommodation.

John Lewis leads

Rebuilding New Street is vital to the Whitby vision so it is encouraging that Network Rail, on behalf of the council, has submitted a planning application for a 23,225 sq.metres (250,000 sq.ft.) John Lewis store in a regenerated Pallasades Shopping Centre over the station.

As one of the retailer’s largest stores outside London, it is the anchor for the shopping centre, which is being designed by Foreign Office Architects and opening in 2014. This is, of course, part of the proposed EZ.

Rail stations spark deals

Another major scheme adjacent to a railway station is by Solum Regeneration, a joint venture of Network Rail and Kier Property around Walthamstow Central Station. The £20 million project will create a new station square together with a hotel and shops.

There will also be 69 residential units and improved access to the station which serves 2,500 stations throughout the UK. This includes a new pedestrian link towards Queens Road Station. Peter Hughes of Solum commented: ”We are beginning to deliver what are often complex regeneration sites.

This is our second project to secure approval and work is well underway on our first scheme in Epsom. We are advancing plans for a number of other station sites.”