The procedure for submitting public questions in writing no later than 12 noon 2 working days before the meetingis available upon request from Democratic Services (the contact details for which appear on the front page of this agenda).
Minutes:
Question from Bob Mousley
1. Officers need to produce a statement on each individual site about ownership, state of negotiations, and honest appraisal about the possibility of delivery within the overall context?
2. What needs to happen for each site to be delivered ie bus garage relocated? Where is each site today?
3. The contract with HBD will need to be retendered as under EU rules and the content has changed significantly?
4. Does the current proposal allow for flexibility to content and makeup?
5. Is it correct that no works can commence until all sites are in the ownership of the Council?
6. What research have the officers done in regard to alternative proposals for each site?
7. The railway station is a key element in the proposal, what negotiations have been undertaken with Network Rail.
8. How long are the Law Courts to be reused on a temporary basis? They can be included in any later phase?
9. What are the officer's proposals for what happens next?
10.What research have the officers completed into electric buses new transport network for Chichester?
11.How have the officers built key concerns on biodiversity and sustainability?
12.How does southern gateway relate to the emerging Neighbourhood Plan for the city?
Basically, there needs to be a fact-finding exercise over the next two months that pulls together as much information as possible, on:
Southern Gateway
Southern Link Road
Northern Link Road
Neighbourhood plan
Transport infrastructure Public and A27 A259, Midhurst road etc.
WSCC Growth Deal
Future of education: schools, university, colleges etc.
Manor Farm Green building Park (WSCC)
CDC Offices
WSCC County Hall future
High Streets greening
Cathedral Square
Northern gyratory
Cycle routes
and more
There needs to be a basic independent overview of opportunities (Jenny Anderson to lead with Julie Kapsalis involvement) with provisional costings ( (Nick Burrell WSCC to lead)
WSCC, CDC, CC plus interested groups engaged in the process.
It is then possible to move forward quite quickly with various projects but they have to be within the context of an overall Masterplan (inc. sustainability, bio diversity etc.) for the whole of Chichester and immediate environs. WSCC would be up for that.
Then having delivered some small projects which show possibilities, it will attract funding for the bigger picture. Masterplan design to happen within a fixed 12-month timeframe and include Citizens Assembly and Neighbour Plan. A lot of the information gathering already exists.
This project will be phased over a number of years, but it has to be within a cohesive Masterplan so that no project interferes with any other.
This will engage the community who have a lot to offer and can help with micro-steps/projects leading up to 2030.
I could explain more, all of this is achievable with good communication and cooperation from all concerned.
Nobody is interested in the past, that's gone,
So where are we now?
Where do we want to go?
How do we get there?
Happy to talk or attend any meetings, etc. to discuss how we can move project Chichester forward.
I am a non-political, free-thinking creative, with no hidden agenda.
Answer
Thank you Mr Mousley for your question
You will be aware from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee report that, the Council along with its partner West Sussex County Council have been working together to implement the Southern Gateway Regenerations plans for a number of years. The Council selected its preferred Development partner after an open competitive procurement process and we are currently working with Henry Boot Developments (HBD) to progress the project. These commercial discussions are on-going and due to the sensitivity of these commercial discussions some of your questions cannot be answered fully at the moment. I note your comments regarding engaging with the community and as part of delivery of the Southern Gateway project, HBD have proposed a stakeholder groups who they will consult and work with once the Development Agreement is signed, the details of which were reported to the Councils Cabinet in May 2020. This group will consist of local resident organisations, clubs, societies, business representation (i.e. Chichester BID and Chichester Chamber of Commerce) and educational establishments including the College and University. Many of these groups have already registered interest through our website.
There will also be a Partnership delivery group consisting of representatives from Chichester District Council, West Sussex County Council, Chichester City Council, a Community Representative ( from the Stakeholder Group), Business representative from the Chamber or BID and HBD.
In addition to this HBD will develop a website and social media sites to reach the wider community and have proposed to hold a series of public exhibitions, consultations and pop up events.
It should be noted that this is separate and distinct to the formal planning process which is expected to and involve consultation by the developer at the pre planning application stage and subsequent statutory consultation on planning applications that are submitted to the Council as Local Planning Authority for determination.
Question 1 and 2
With regard to site ownership and status, Chichester District Council owns the Basin Road car park, Bus Station and Bus Depot which is leased to Stagecoach. WSCC own the old School building and All-weather pitch
The Police Authority own the old Police Field, HMCTS own the two court buildings. Royal Mail owns the Royal mail distribution centre. Network Rail own the railway car park leased to the train operator. The negotiations on these sites are confidential with the landowner and the developer.
Question 3
The project was competitively tendered under an OJEU procurement process. This process is now called contract and notices and is published in ‘find a tender’ under the government website. There is no change to the process yet and the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 remain in place.
Question 4
The current master plan for the Southern Gateway is a flexible master plan and the procurement process and Development agreement reflect this.
Question 5
No, all of the sites do not need to be in council ownership to progress the project
Question 6
The Council is working with HBD to complete the Development Agreement further details on this are commercially sensitive at the moment
Question 7
We continue to keep Network Rail informed on progress with the project, our last meeting with Network Rail was yesterday.
Question 8
We have been informed by HMCTS that the Courts are to be opened as Nightingale courts to address the back log in court cases. We continue to liaise with HMCTS and they have informed us that they will conduct a review of their requirements for Nightingale courts going forward and will inform us of when they will conduct the review; to date we have not been informed of any review date.
Question 9
Officers continue to keep members informed of progress on the project and the work with HBD
Questions 10
Chichester District Council Officers have liaised with West Sussex County Council public transport Officers regarding the infrastructure required going forward ie bus stops, with regard to electric buses this is something that the WSCC officers are working on with their delivery partners.
Question 11
Matters such as biodiversity impacts and sustainability will be considered alongside other key planning matters via the normal planning process. HBD will therefore need to take account of such matters as part of the preparation of detailed planning proposals for the Southern Gateway area which will need to be submitted for the Council’s consideration in due course.
Question 12
The Southern Gateway Masterplan has been adopted by the Council as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). The SPD provides guidance on the Council’s expectations for the future development of the area. Whilst it is a planning consideration in the determination of relevant planning applications, it is not part of the adopted development plan. Should the City Council decide to prepare policies for the Southern Gateway as part of its Neighbourhood Plan, these will be the subject of scrutiny and consultation through the neighbourhood planning preparation process and to be found ‘sound’ will need to be in conformity with the strategic policies of the adopted Chichester Local Plan. Should the Neighbourhood Plan in due course, be ‘made’ and contain such policies, they would be an important consideration in the planning application process.
Question from Andrew Bain
On behalf of the Chichester Society Executive Committee we have the following question:-
Is the Masterplan for the Southern Gateway going to be reviewed in the light of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the opposition to retaining the existing unsatisfactory traffic situation around the level crossings? We consider that The Council should work on this review with the Chichester Development Group who have produced their inspirational Grand Vision for Chichester Tomorrow and with The City Council who proposed a solution to the traffic problem in their recent Local Plan consultation. Both parties would help bring about a more hopeful future for the Southern Gateway.
Answer
Thank you Mr Bain for your question.
The Southern Gateway Masterplan was adopted by the Council in November 2017 as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). This followed the appointment of specialist master planning consultants to undertake extensive evidence-based work to assess the options and opportunities for appropriate development and supporting highway infrastructure and public realm enhancement across the masterplan area.
The masterplan sets out proposals for significant changes to the highway network around the existing one-way gyratory, including the restriction of the Stockbridge Road level crossing to pedestrians, cyclists and buses only, to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety. Other options such as a bridge and tunnel were fully investigated as part of the masterplan work and it was concluded that they were neither technically feasible nor financially viable.
The masterplan is intentionally focused on that part of the city immediately to the south of the central shopping area which has been identified as being in need of regeneration and redevelopment and for these reasons; it is not, at this stage, proposed to review the masterplan.
The Chairman invited Mr Bain to ask a supplementary question. Mr Bain asked as a resident living in close proximity to the Southern Gateway area, when the work would take place? The Chairman responded he wished to assure Mr Bain that the reason for this item coming before the Committee was because Members wished to ensure progress. Officers were working very hard on the project but the current pandemic had created a more challenging environment in which to make progress. The Chairman confirmed that once certainty was established, both the residents and the Chichester Society would be informed. The Chairman thanked the speakers for attending.
Members sought clarification regarding when the Part I and Part II questions would be brought forward. The Chairman confirmed there were a number of questions from Members of OSC and the wider Council, and some of which would be taken in part I and others in part II, and this would be carefully managed.
With regards to a question from Mr Tappin, it was confirmed by Miss Davis that the question had been submitted after the deadline and therefore the question had been circulated to Members for their information.