Issue - meetings

Following a declaration of interest in respect of the following item, the Mayor left the meeting at this point. For the remainder of business, Councillor Smiles chaired proceedings.

The Executive Member for Regeneration and the Director of Regeneration and Culture submitted a report for the Executive’s consideration. The purpose of the report was to set out the approach to be taken for the development of Middlehaven, and the agreement proposed to enable BCEGI to facilitate the development of over 500 new homes at St Hilda’s.

In summary, the approach planned to focus on developing four distinct, but overlapping zones that would have their own characteristics and their own target markets, but blend to form a single cohesive community. The four zones were identified as:

·        Digital & Creative Hub (see paragraph 12 of the submitted report);

·        St Hilda’s Neighbourhood (see paragraph 13);

·        Education Quarter (see paragraph 14); and

·        Middlehaven Docks (see paragraph 15).

To enable the coherent delivery of the next phase of development at Middlehaven, it was necessary for the land at St Hilda’s to be formally made available to BCEGI as the Council’s strategic partner. As a result, a five-year option agreement had been prepared that planned to allow BCEGI the certainty to commit significant funds to further design, planning and preparatory work that would be essential to taking forward the construction of new housing and commercial space within that zone.

The basis of the option agreement was outlined at paragraphs 20 to 25 of the submitted report and Appendix II outlined the area covered by the agreement.

ORDERED

1.      That the planned approach to the development of Middlehaven be approved.

2.      That the granting of an option agreement to BCEGI to facilitate the development of St Hilda’s be approved.

3.      That agreement of the final terms of the agreement (and any variation to those set out in the submitted report) be delegated to the Director of Regeneration and Culture and the Council’s Section 151 Officer.

REASON

The redevelopment of Middlehaven was key to the future economic growth of the town. The funding identified to deliver the Council’s aspirations at Middlehaven was now available, but needed to be applied to a coherent strategy and phasing plan, and delivered in partnership with an organisation that was capable of taking it forward.