Agenda item

Richard Poundford, Director of Rotherham Investment and Development Services to report.

John Smales, Development Team Manager, spoke to a PowerPoint presentation updating the Panel on the significant progress of the town centre renaissance.

 

It was pointed out that the key to the regeneration was the relocation of the Council into new accommodation, which would release significant buildings and vacate sites to facilitate the regeneration.

 

Reference was made to the following:-

 

Phase 1:-

-           Submission by Carey Jones, architects, - indicating massing, layout of buildings and internal configuration.

 

-           New Council building to front onto Main Street, together with a new college for RCAT, to be designed in a phased manner

 

-           timescales:-  Stage C submission due on 27th April;  Consultation to begin in June;  Stage D submission 28th September;  Final sign off 21st December

 

-           Demolition proposed to commence late April/early May followed by remediation works (scheduled to take approx 18 months/2 years)

 

Phase 2:-

-           Lots 2 and 3 – redevelopment of Forge Island and the Council’s remaining town centre sites.  The aim being to relocate Tesco and to develop Forge Island as a cultural quarter with a theatre, museum, leisure facilities, together with new housing and associated car parking.

 

-           Redevelopment of the Civic site, including Crinoline and the library/arts centre.

 

-           Plans for Drummond Street

 

The Demonstrator Project (Domine Lane) – retail and residential - completion programmed for March 2008

 

Market Street car park redevelopment – for restaurant and residential – completion programmed for March 2008

 

All Saints building – will be vacated by 31st July 2007 with demolition scheduled to commence October 2007.  Completion of new building for commercial and new office space due for completion .September 2009.

 

Imperial Building – marketing suite now open.  Works programmed to start in June 2007 and for completion in March 2008.

 

Weirside site – re-opening of the river frontage:-   work on the river wall to commence January 2008; for completion October 2009 with pubic realm works running concurrently.

 

Riverside Café – to be developed as part of the public realm works.

 

Flood Alleviation Scheme – work was currently underway on Phase 1 at Templeborough to create a balancing pond/wildlife area. Work was on programme with completion in December 2008.  It was noted that the timing of the diversion of the DOGSTAR main was critical and was scheduled for June 2007 with connection in the Corus shut down period.

 

Phase 2 works of the flood alleviation scheme – design works were underway.  However funding was still being investigated.

 

Townscape Heritage Imitative – approval by Heritage Lottery Fund of a grant of £1.1, plus funding from the Council’s capital programme, and a bid to Yorkshire Forward, for improvements to High Street.

 

Public Realm Works – in the Minster yard, High Street and Imperial/All Saints area.

 

Strategic Acquisitions – the various acquisitions made by the Council to underpin the Renaissance were listed in the report.

 

Railway Station – SYPTE had engaged Arup to produce outline designs for refurbishment and 3 options had been identified.  Funding was from SYPTE and Yorkshire Forward SRIP. However the Council favoured the option which had the most regeneration impact.  Also there was still a £1m shortfall.

 

Moorgate Crofts – completion of Phase 3 could complete the re-development of the former Grove Road school site.

 

Transport Interchange – there were proposals for the redevelopment of the interchange and replacement car park.  Meetings were being held with Express Parks,  Norseman Holdings and the Council regarding a joint solution.

 

Westgate – housing and office demand studies had been commissioned

 

Wellgate – development of a housing scheme promoted by Neighbourhoods on the former Henley’s garage site.

 

Living Over the Shops – 8 flats had been completed on College Street (this was a joint scheme with Equity Housing Group and Neighbourhoods to provide affordable housing)

 

St. Ann’s Leisure Complex – development to begin in the summer with completion 18 months thereafter.

 

Transport Strategy – Arups had been commissioned to carry out this study which identified highways improvements needed over the next 20+ years in the light of the town centre renaissance.  The study had been received by the Council and would now be analysed prior to being issued for consultation.

 

Safety Management Project – this was a new initiative funded from RERF for 3 years to improve safety in and around the town centre including the appointment of a Safety Manager, delivery of a Safety Action Plan, and introduction of initiatives e.g. radio link, business watch scheme.

 

It was explained that funding for the Town Centre Renaissance was from 3 sources:-

 

      Yorkshire Forward SRIP

      Transform south Yorkshire

      Heritage Lottery Fund

 

The following questions were raised:-

 

-           what pressure would be put on the PTE to ensure that the refurbishment, design and appearance of the railway station was linked to the interchange e.g. upgrading of the station and the platform; the drains etc.

 

There were 3 options, the cheapest of which was to upgrade the platform and existing facilities.  However the Council was looking at the most expensive option which would give the greatest regeneration benefits.

 

-           were any problems envisage in bringing the Renaissance in on time?

 

The issue was one of funding.  If the Council had more funding it could be delivered on time.  However everything was on programme at the moment. It was anticipated that the funding programme would be rolled forward.  It was pointed out that it was a 20 year programme.

 

-           how could the Council influence Tesco?

 

It was explained that the process was complex and linked to Lots 2 and 3.  All the sites would be valued independently and there would be continued negotiation between the Council and the developer, and between the developer and Tesco.  It was added that any acquisition/disposal required third party verification by the District Valuer.

 

-           what was planned for Drummond Street and for the Outdoor market?

 

It was proposed to take the market back on to Effingham Street.  There were proposals for development of a cinema, bowling alley etc.

 

A new building had been proposed for Drummond Street, for office space including car parking.

 

-           how would the conflict between cars and buses be addressed?

 

This would be addressed in the Transport Strategy and continued discussion with the PTE.

 

The Chairman thanked John for his informative presentation.

 

Resolved:-  (1)  That the progress made be noted.

 

(2)  That a further report be submitted to the October, 2007, meeting of this Panel to cover progress in the forthcoming 6 months.