Agenda and minutes

Consideration was given to the minutes of a meeting of the Townscape Heritage Initiative Partnership held on 1^st November, 2010.

The continuing progress was noted.

Resolved:-  That the contents of the minutes be noted.

Simeon Leach, to report.

-  to seek approval for the allocation of £5,000 RERF revenue funding to  preparatory work on designing a public realm scheme for Church Street in Rotherham town centre.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Project Officer, seeking approval for the allocation of £5,000 RERF revenue funding to undertake preparatory work on designing a public realm scheme for Church Street in Rotherham town centre.

It was confirmed that the requested amount was available from the RERF.

It was reported that officers from Rotherham Investment and Development Office (RiDO) and Streetpride had taken a proactive approach to find an affordable solution for this area.  It was explained that as a result of the relocation from Greasbrough to Hellaby Depot a significant amount of paving and other materials surplus to requirements could be earmarked for the project.  The Landscape Design Team would produce a draft scheme utilising these materials and the design scheme would help to identify any further funding issues.

Details of the estimated costs were given in the submitted report.  The possible input from Rotherham Open Arts Renaissance was noted.

Resolved:-  (1)  That £5,000 of RERF revenue be approved to fund the provision of the design feasibility for public realm works on Church Street.

(2)  That a further report on the proposed design be submitted to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member for Town Centres.

Mike Shires, Implementation Manager/Karen Gallagher, Project Officer, to report.

-  to update the Cabinet Member on the position with regard to the

redevelopment of the Weirside site and requesting consideration of options

to market the site for disposal and redevelopment by the private sector.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Project Officer, providing an update on the position with regard to the redevelopment of the Weirside site.

Consideration was also requested in respect of options to market the site for disposal and redevelopment by the private sector.

Reference was made to the Council’s previous aspirations, as part of the Town Centre Renaissance, for the provision of residential accommodation. It was however reported that due to the current economic climate the ability to deliver this was now abortive.  Thus the developer had now surrendered all rights and responsibilities in connection with the site and the Council could now consider other options.

Reference was also made to previously reported and approved proposals to develop and construct under croft parking within the void beneath public realm works on the site (Deck of Cards). However it was reported that funding for this had been withdrawn and the proposals had been abandoned.

In order to re-stimulate development interest in this area of the Town Centreit was proposed to ‘test’ the current market and assess any interest in the future development of this site.

The report detailed three potential disposal and marketing options.  Support was given to Option 2.

It was also reported that Urban Graffiti had expressed an interest in the old arches on this site as a potential public art canvass.

Resolved:-  (1)  That in the light of the current economic climate and local market conditions the previously approved proposals be not now pursued.

(2) That the site be now marketed by the Strategic Director of Environment and Development Services on the basis of an advisory development brief as detailed in Option 2 outlined in the submitted report..

(3)  That the Director of Legal and Democratic Services secures defective            title indemnity insurance.

Bob Taylor, Project Officer, to report.

-           to seek approval for the proposed scheme.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Project Officer, seeking approval for a proposed public realm scheme for Minster Gardens. 

Reference was made to the following:-

-          site location and importance for the town centre

-          original proposal and loss of external funding

-          sketch proposals and the hardworks general arrangement plan appended to the submitted report as Drawing Nos. 4753/2 – 102 and LA4753 – 201

-          visualisations which were made available at the meeting

-          church access and provision for disabled parking

-          lighting and street cleansing: noting discussions with Streetpride

-          the need for planning permission

-          landscaping and grass cutting: noting discussions with Landscape Team

-          reuse of materials from the old market site

-          potential to use the space for small events

-          timescale and removal of the hoardings

Details of the available budget were set out in the submitted report.

It was pointed out that the works would be carried out by the same Streetpride delivery team currently working on the Minster Yard project.

Resolved:-  (1)  That approval be given to the proposed Minster Gardens Public Realm project as detailed in the report now submitted.

(2)                    That discussion take place regarding the provision of 2 disabled parking bays on Market Street.

(3)                    That the Minster be kept informed of the proposals.