Council set to kickstart stalled development plan

The developer will be tasked with helping the council deliver its plans for the area, which include a new arts and exhibition centre, as well as homes, shops and offices while preserving the character of some of its older buildings.

Around £21m of public sector funding has already been injected into the scheme which stalled in the face of the economic slowdown and the withdrawal of public funding by the Government three years ago.

A report that will be considered by senior councillors at a meeting next week warns that without Government funding the council will have to try and fill the gap from its own finances and by
bidding for help from other
sources.

Hull City Council already owns a significant amount of the land in the area and hopes private sector developers will put forward plans that will suggest schemes that can link it to The Deep and other waterfront developments and help attract more visitors to the city.

As part of the process, the council will look to see which parts of the project will need further public funding and which will be taken forward by the private sector.

Consultants are already working with the authority to look at making the proposed arts and exhibition centre a showcase for the work of David Hockney.