Issue - items at meetings - Falmer Released Land

Report of the Strategic Director: Resources (copy attached).

RESOLVED:

(1)               That the Strategic Director; Resources be delegated authority to proceed with the short term option in respect of the site shown on the plan at Appendix 1 (“the Released Land”), as described in paragraphs 6.2(b) and 7.1 of the report, subject to consultation with the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Member for PEER, Cabinet Member for Transport & Public Realm, and Cabinet Member for Finance & Central Services and that this consultation should be carried out following receipt by the council from The Community Stadium Limited (“TCSL”) of a viable business case for the proposal;

(2)               That subject to (a) the delegated decision to proceed with the temporary solution in (1) above, (b) the granting of a waiver under Contract Standing Order 18 and (c) TCSL gaining planning permission, it be agreed that the Council enter into licences to achieve the temporary solution, the detailed terms of such licences to be drawn up by the Strategic Director, Resources in consultation with the Head of Law, the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Member for PEER, Cabinet Member for Transport & Public Realm, and Cabinet Member for Finance & Central Services;

(3)               That the preparing of a Development Brief to test the market and procure a development partner as described in paragraphs 6.4 (i) and 7.5 of the report be agreed and the Strategic Director, Resources be granted delegated authority to approve the Development Brief; in consultation with the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Member for Planning Employment Economy & Regeneration, Cabinet Member for Transport & Public Realm, and Cabinet Member for Finance & Central Services, so that the Released Land can be marketed as a development site and the outcome of such marketing be further considered by Cabinet; and

(4)               That it be noted that a report to the Planning Employment Economy & Regeneration Cabinet Member Meeting of 2^nd February 2011 recommended the form of the Planning Brief for the Released Land in the form appended to the report.     

198.1    The Chair introduced the report and noted that the football club had worked closely with the council to produce a traffic strategy to enable the proposed redevelopment and temporary use of the site, involving demolition of the surplus school buildings, temporary accommodation for the Bridge Community Education Centre and match day and event parking for the Amex Community Stadium.  He noted that the Bridge Community Education Centre was very happy with the proposal and that there would be consultation on the Business Plan.

198.2    Councillor G. Theobald stated that he felt the process had come full circle and the agreement with the football club was near to that which had been agreed with the previous Administration.  He also queried what the situation was in regard to the club’s intention to increase capacity and secure additional parking.

198.3    The Chair stated that a planning application was expected to be submitted in the very near future and that the Transport Strategy would be used to evaluate the need for parking and other material considerations would be dealt with as part of the planning process.

198.4    Councillor Mitchell welcomed the report and queried whether the forthcoming Planning Brief would take into account the details included in the Development Brief that had been circulated.  She also referred to paragraph 6.4 of the report and queried whether option (ii) would be considered if a capital receipt materialised.

198.5    The Chair stated he did not believe an agreement had previously existed with the football club and stated that he was happy to give an assurance that option (ii) would be considered if matters progressed as it was hoped.

198.6    RESOLVED:

(1)         That the Strategic Director; Resources be delegated authority to proceed with the short term option in respect of the site shown on the plan at Appendix 1 (“the Released Land”), as described in paragraphs 6.2(b) and 7.1 of the report, subject to consultation with the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Member for PEER, Cabinet Member for Transport & Public Realm, and Cabinet Member for Finance & Central Services and that this consultation should be carried out following receipt by the council from The Community Stadium Limited (“TCSL”) of a viable business case for the proposal;

(2)         That subject to (a) the delegated decision to proceed with the temporary solution in (1) above, (b) the granting of a waiver under Contract Standing Order 18 and (c) TCSL gaining planning permission, it be agreed that the Council enter into licences to achieve the temporary solution, the detailed terms of such licences to be drawn up by the Strategic Director, Resources in consultation with the Head of Law, the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Member for PEER, Cabinet Member for Transport & Public Realm, and Cabinet Member for Finance & Central Services;

(3)         That the preparing of a Development Brief to test the market and procure a development partner as described in paragraphs 6.4 (i) and 7.5 of the report be agreed and the Strategic Director, Resources be granted delegated authority to approve the Development Brief; in consultation with the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Member for Planning Employment Economy & Regeneration, Cabinet Member for Transport & Public Realm, and Cabinet Member for Finance & Central Services, so that the Released Land can be marketed as a development site and the outcome of such marketing be further considered by Cabinet; and

(4)         That it be noted that a report to the Planning Employment Economy & Regeneration Cabinet Member Meeting of 2^nd February 2011 recommended the form of the Planning Brief for the Released Land in the form appended to the report.     

Report of the Strategic Director: Resources (copy to be circulated).

145.1  The item had been deferred.