But the district council is accused of putting an enhancement scheme for the whole site in jeopardy
The multi-million pound redevelopment of Fosseway Court on Seaton seafront is set to begin this year.
Freeholder Paul Mooney plans to build 30 new apartments and regenerate the whole of the site.
His scheme involves the refurbishment and extension of the two existing apartment blocks, including additional levels, and construction of new link apartment block to provide an additional 30 homes – along with extra parking.
But Mr Mooney says the overall scheme to enhnace the entire area could be in jeopardy unless East Devon District Council honours an agreement made in 2015 concerning the regeneration of its ‘eyesore’ Moridunum former toilet block, directly in front to the apartment block.
He said: “It has always made sense to try and include the regeneration of the Moridunum alongside the regeneration of Fosseway Court. I have been working for a number of years with Seaton Town Council and Thread, the architects behind the seafront plans, to evolve a scheme that seamlessly merged Fosseway Court and the Moridunum. I believe the plans approved by EDDC in August achieved this.
“Even before this I offered to purchase the derelict toilets from EDDC and redevelop both the commercial areas and the areas of public realm entirely at my own expense.
“This is the agreement I believe we had made back in 2015.
“However, a change of personnel within the estates and legal departments at EDDC seems to have put this in jeopardy.
“As well as funding the entire redevelopment I am now being asked to provide an additional £500,000 bond to the council as some form of guarantee. That effectively makes the entire project untenable.
“It would be hugely disappointing if, in a couple of years time, we have a iconic development of wonderful seafront apartments looking out across what would still be a block of derelict and abandoned toilets.”
A spokesman for EDDC said: “‘Discussions remain ongoing. This is a particularly complex situation and while the council is keen to enable redevelopment of both the Fosseway site and the area in front as a whole, it also has to protect the interests of the public, which is what it is seeking to ensure. We will continue to work with Mr Mooney to try and find a solution.”
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