Decision - Preston Barracks Development – Update and future arrangements

1.      That Cabinet notes the successful collaborative work to date and the progress that has been made in identifying opportunities for a revised scheme at Preston Barracks.

2.      That Cabinet gives in principle support to ‘a Shared Vision’ of the city council and University of Brighton for a wider development opportunity on the Lewes Road involving city council and University land.

3.      That Cabinet agrees the terms of reference/project objectives for taking forward the Preston Barracks Development as set out in paragraph 3.23.

4.      That Cabinet supports continued partnership working between the city council, SEEDA and the University of Brighton to further explore the development potential.

5.      That Cabinet agrees to the city council and University of Brighton entering into a simple procurement protocol agreement at this stage to cover the continued development of a joint scheme, with a further report to Cabinet prior to any longer term commitments.

6.      That Cabinet agrees to the project management arrangements and decision making structure, including the creation of a new cross-party Project Board (as detailed in 3.26) and that each of the four main political groups be requested to nominate their representative to join the Project Board.

7.      That Cabinet supports the planned next steps in taking the project forward, particularly the joint commissioning of an Urban Design study to examine development scenarios e.g. height, scale and massing.

1.      The city council and University of Brighton share a real desire to see a high quality development that meets the demands of the city and the University, as well as promoting the regeneration of the Lewes Road corridor; a development that should also better integrate with surrounding communities.

2.      Employment creation remains the primary focus for Preston Barracks.  However, working in partnership with the University and incorporating adjacent land offers the potential to deliver against this objective in a more flexible way; as part of a wider scheme also enabling the University to achieve its objective to continue the improvement of its Moulsecoomb campus.

3.      The University’s aspirations for the renewal and development of its Moulsecoomb campus, through the improvement of the facilities and the setting in which they are provided, sits well with both the vision for Preston Barracks, as well as the wider strategies for Lewes Road and the Academic Corridor.  A joint approach to the development of a wider site offers the prospect of a better integrated development capable of satisfying all parties and the city as a whole.

1.      The evaluation of alternative options formed a significant part of the previous report to Cabinet, on which basis it was agreed that in view of the many options considered over time, it was appropriate for the city council to review the development opportunities and to explore alternative delivery arrangements.  Activity during the past 6 months has begun the process of establishing a shared vision.

2.      The intention to move forward with the commissioning of an Urban Design Study, to update the original Masterplan of 2003, and to inform further discussions, will in turn lead to the consideration of further options and development scenarios.