Mediation bid to ease deadlock over Bournemouth theatre (From Bournemouth Echo)

Mediation bid to ease deadlock over Bournemouth theatre

7:00am Friday 17th April 2009

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INDEPENDENT mediators will be asked to try and kick-start the multi-million-pound redevelopment of Bournemouth’s historic Pavilion Theatre.

The £46 million scheme has been put on hold because Bournemouth council has been unable to agree a land swap deal with the Meyrick Estate, which owns some of the Pavilion site.

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It had looked likely the dispute would end up in court, which could have proved expensive.

But at a special cabinet meeting, held behind closed doors, councillors agreed instead to seek mediation.

It’s understood this will involve councillors and officers travelling to London to meet with representatives of the Meyrick Estate and the Lower Gardens Trust Board in the hope of agreeing a solution.

Stephen Godsall, programme director, said: “After a lot of discussion with the Meyrick Estate some outstanding issues with the Pavilion and Lower Gardens remain.

“As a result the cabinet has agreed to seek a mediated solution where possible. A similar decision has been taken by the Lower Gardens Trust Board.

“The council remains hopeful of working with the Meyrick Estate to ensure the regeneration of the Pavilion area.”

Cllr John Beesley, deputy leader of the council, said the delay was “immensely frustrating” but he believed the council was doing the right thing in seeking mediation.

“Going to court would be more expensive, it’s of uncertain outcome and it doesn’t necessarily achieve what mediation can achieve.

“Various legal issues need to be resolved in order to go forward to a conclusion. I would hope that this process assists in doing that.”

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