Members are invited to ask a question of a member of the Executive (maximum of 40 minutes duration).
Minutes:
The Chair invited Questions to the Executive.
Cllr Plowman had submitted the following question in advance:
The Development Brief for the Southern Gateway quotes “This substantial largely brown field area has a site with waterside development potential and the flexible master plan covering eight key sites.
These sites will provide:
• 365 new homes, 30% affordable; Chichester enjoys a very buoyant residential market.
• Over 20,000 square metres of mixed commercial space, including the opportunity for retail, office, hotel, leisure, entertainment, visitor and night time economy. Chichester is a successful tourist destination and there is demand for new food and beverage outlets in the City as well as potentially a new arts and multipurpose entertainment facility.
• Excellent opportunity to improve the public realm and landscaping.
• Improved transport links, creating the focus on walking, cycling and the public transport interchange.”
And later in the brief:” The scheme is the flagship project for the Chichester Vision which looks ahead over the next 20 years to see how the city centre can be enhanced, while at the same time protecting our important heritage”.
Can you inform Council realistically what the Southern Gateway will deliver and by what date? Covid -19 has not changed this only delayed the discussions I understand.
I believe the Development brief was mainly put together by the advisors, Jones, Lang and LaSalle ltd (JLL) and in view of what will now be delivered, is it time for some fresh advisors?
Cllr Dignum provided the following response:
The Covid 19 pandemic has had an inevitable impact on progress in completing the development agreement with Henry Boot the Council’s selected developer. Market conditions are very different to where they were 9 months ago when the procurement process was being undertaken however HBD have confirmed they remain committed to signing the Development Agreement and progress the regeneration project.
The Development Agreement will include a 12 month pre condition period which follows the principles of the heads of terms agreed by this Council last year. This aim of this stage is to test the property market across all relevant uses post Covid 19. This will provide a better understanding of the emerging impact of Covid 19 which in turn will inform the overall scheme viability and phasing.
The master plan is a flexible plan. However there are some key delivery principles including calming the traffic, improving the public realm, especially the look and feel from the railway station to the city, and bringing forward a hotel and entertainment venue. When land assembly is completed for each site within the Southern Gateway HBD will come forward with proposals for a viable scheme for that site.
This is a major regeneration project for the City over a number of years , the largest the City has seen for many years and every effort is being made to bring forward land assembly and to complete the Development Agreement to enable the progression of the project. Jones, Lang, Laselle , JLL, are international property advisors and have a wealth of knowledge of all of the sectors linked to the project delivery as well as a depth of knowledge of this particular project. Now as we near the signing of the Development Agreement is not the right time to be considering any changes which would slow the progress of the project.
Cllr O’Kelly asked how a no deal Brexit would affect businesses. Mrs Shepherd responded by explaining that the council is working on a multi-agency approach and that it already had an plan in place that assessed the impact on the Council and this was being updated as new information came to light.
Cllr Bangert requested consideration be given to the housing options in the district specifically the lack of suitable properties for downsizers. Cllr Sutton explained that members influence lies in planning policy. He emphasised the importance of promoting new ideas to improve the future of housing the district.
Cllr Evans requested information regarding a planning enforcement case at Lagoon 3 - Crouchland Farm which Mr Frost agreed to respond to in writing. Cllr Palmer requested the information be shared with all members. (Post meeting note: this information was circulated to members on 29 September 2020).
Cllr Brown requested further information on the West Sussex County Council partnership work on electric charging points. Cllr Plant confirmed that the work was in hand.
Cllr Oakley requested clarification on whether the council is able to assess and monitor traffic queuing in relation to what air quality measures are in place on the Westhampnett Road. Cllr Plant confirmed that the council’s officers are in contact with their counterparts at West Sussex County Council. She explained that monitoring takes place over a period of time in order to produce data that can be analysed.
Cllr Apel asked why residents would take part in local democracy if they are required to take development in their local areas. Cllr Taylor emphasised the importance of the Local Plan Review taking place as soon as possible. Mr Frost added that the council has prepared an Interim Planning Policy Statement which outlines the current position.