Agenda item - Stanmer Park Restoration Programme - Update and Permission to Consult

Report of the Acting Executive Director, Environment, Development & Housing (copy attached).

1)           That the Committee notes the progress on the Stanmer Park Programme, and specifically the Parks for People HLF application.

2)           That the Committee agrees the next stages of work on the Stanmer Programme.

3)           That the Committee agrees the Consultation and Engagement Plan for the Stage 2 HLF Application.

4)           That the Committee agrees to the production of a Sustainable Travel Plan to inform final recommendations for parking and transport in Stanmer Park.

5)           That the Committee notes that proposals for the Home Farm buildings will be considered in more detail in a report to Policy & Resources Committee in February.

62.1      The Committee considered a report of the Acting Executive Director, Environment, Development & Housing that provided an update on the Stanmer Park Restoration Programme and sought approval for the next stages of work.

62.2      Councillor West stated that the project was of high importance and the council needed to deliver it effectively. Councillor West stated that we welcomed a specific recommendation on the production of a Sustainable Travel Plan as it was important for those that did not have a car to be able to access Stanmer Park easily.

62.3      Councillor Miller welcomed the report and opportunity it would provide. Councillor Miller asked for more information as to why the Heritage Lottery Grant for Home Farm was unsuccessful and what alternatives were being explored, why the car park near the church would be disabled only as it was significant distance from the house and café and if consideration had been given to improving existing car parks. Councillor Miller stated his was sympathetic to the views expressed by Councillor West on access and if options to and from Upper Lodge had been assessed.

62.4      The Head of Projects & Strategy options for Home Farm would be detailed in a forthcoming report to the Policy & Resources Committee and these would consider raising capital from sales on other properties not related to Stanmer Park, developing the former Post Office site plus other sources of income. In relation to disabled parking, the detail was still to be worked on and would correlate with issues such as the Sustainable Travel Plan and would represent the next stage of work. The Head of Projects & Strategy added that all car parks were currently in poor condition and any that were retained would require investment. Alternative access routes had been examined including from the Upper Lodges but costs had been found to be prohibitive and therefore not feasible.

62.5      Councillor Janio welcomed the report as a very good step supplementing that travel would be a very important matter and it was critical that people were able to visit Stanmer Park by a variety of methods, including by car.

62.6      RESOLVED-

1)           That the Committee notes the progress on the Stanmer Park Programme, and specifically the Parks for People HLF application.

2)           That the Committee agrees the next stages of work on the Stanmer Programme.

3)           That the Committee agrees the Consultation and Engagement Plan for the Stage 2 HLF Application.

4)           That the Committee agrees to the production of a Sustainable Travel Plan to inform final recommendations for parking and transport in Stanmer Park.

5)           That the Committee notes that proposals for the Home Farm buildings will be considered in more detail in a report to Policy & Resources Committee in February.