Issue - meetings

The Town Centre Regeneration Programme Manager presented an update on the second phase of the town centre redevelopment (Appendix 1). 

During presentation of this update the following key points were discussed:

·         The impact of The Co-operative’s lease of a unit in the Birmingham Road Retail Park on the future introduction of a Sainsbury’s supermarket at that location and the significant role of Sainsbury’s in the overall redevelopment of the town centre.

·         The inclusion of break clauses in the leases for The Co-operative and new What store.  Members were advised that break clauses would have to have been negotiated between parties, though the content of those clauses were private.

·         The completion of High Street works using sources of funding not derived from the Section 106 for the Sainsbury’s development.

·         The impact of development on the Birmingham Road / Stourbridge Road junction.  Members were advised that the works required at the junction would depend on the scale of the development that eventually took place.

·         The impact of the opening of Parkside on traffic at the same junction.  Officers explained that the majority of staff would be required to park in external car parks and this would help to limit traffic at the junction.  However, concerns were expressed about the safety of increasing numbers of pedestrians at that junction.

·         The deadline for use of Section 106 funding provided by the health centre at Parkside. 

·         The sale of the car park on Birmingham Road, the potential loss of car parking revenue and the impact on the value of the property.  Officers assured Members that the Council took advice from the District Valuer and would require their support to proceed with any proposals.

·         The Area Action Plan permitted a mixed use development on Windsor Street, comprising both retail and residential units.  The site was being advertised for development and decisions would be made on the exact mix based on the proposals received from developers though the Council was obliged to achieve best value in any final outcome. 

·         The commitment of the Council to a move to Parkside, with the majority of shared services based at Redditch Town Hall.  Officers confirmed that as the agreement had been reached with partners and significant progress made developing the site it would not be appropriate to withdraw from Parkside at this stage.

·         There was a covenant on Parkside which required the building to be used as office space and for other services provided by partners, such as the library.  Alternative uses of the site were therefore unlikely to be acceptable.  Officers suggested that further information about Parkside could be circulated by email after the meeting if required.

·         The changes to the recreation ground, which would comprise enhancement works rather than redevelopment.  The ground was recognised as being a useful community asset, though significant investment was required to make it more appealing to the public.

·         Progress with the development at the Recreation Road site.  Officers confirmed that all of the significant milestones had been met and that planning permission would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45