Agenda item

The Overview & Scrutiny Committee – Resources is asked to consider the report and make any recommendations they deem appropriate to the Executive.

The recommendations to Executive and Council set out in Section 2 of the report.

85.1     The Executive Head of Regeneration and Planning Policy gave a presentation on the Fairground and Weydown Development Projects, with contributions from officers and John Percy of Montagu Evans.

85.2     The Chair highlighted the capital implications referred to in the recommendations to the Executive and Council, reproduced at paragraph 2 of the report.

85.3     Cllr Atkins asked whether massing studies had been carried out for the site and requested to see it if so. Officers confirmed that a massing study has been completed, that they want to maximise the opportunities offered by the site, and that 20 units is the minimum mandated by the Local Plan Part 2 allocations, though 32 has been profiled.

85.4     Cllr Atkins raised concern about the risk of being able to let the 20,000 square-foot unit on the ground floor and whether a client could likely still be confirmed. John Percy confirmed that building works would only commence after the occupier was signed up to the scheme and to the development arrangement with the development partner.

85.5     The Chair queried whether the plan to have housing above the supermarket unit is attractive to a supermarket client. John Percy confirmed that all arrangements are conditional on client sign-up to the scheme, and that regular engagement demonstrated that the site is a desirable one.

85.6     Cllr Atkins asked if a massing exercise document and explanation of the rationale for choosing this form of development could come before Council. John Percy clarified that the planning application would be undertaken by the development partner and that the contract papers would give attention to maximising value, with much of the risk for this passed to the market.

85.7     Cllr Atkins asked for clarity on what the nature of the third-party development partner would be. It was clarified that this would be specified by the competition material, but would likely be a developer, could also be the ultimate occupier, and that any partner would need to demonstrate that they could meet the necessary requirements.

85.8     Cllr Weldon asked if an option with no commercial component was investigated, and whether a study into impact of the area’s existing retail would be. Officers clarified that a mixed-use development was allocated by the Local Plan, and that no survey work has yet been undertaken into the impact on local retail, though officers are very mindful of this and that they would seek assurance that parking on the site could be used by local businesses to prevent adverse impact.

85.9     Cllr Nicholson noted the advantage of offering parking space to commuters, local workers and shoppers, and how the proposal would aid in achieving the aims of the Local Plan.

85.10   Cllr Merryweather reiterated that the Local Plan Part 2 determined that this be a mixed-use scheme, and that its delivery will allow the development of a youth campus, another allocated site within the plan. He added that thought was given to car parking provision, and that the project is still at an early stage.

85.11   Officers confirmed to the Chair that a further paper would be brought back to this committee before award of a contract to any development partner.