Cabinet Member for Assets and Investments
Minutes:
21.1 Councillor Gowrley introduced the report and MOVED the recommendations within the report.
21.2 Commenting further he went on to say that in April 2017, Executive Committee had given approval for the appointment of a design and planning team following a full and compliant procurement process. The team were appointed to support the Assets and Investments Team to develop options for the future use of the existing headquarters building and associated car park sites at Hurstlea Road, Needham Market and to develop a programme of work which would ensure the successful delivery of a developed design for the site.
21.3 Councillor Gowrley then confirmed that the purpose of the report was to provide information on the proposed option for the site’s development for Council to debate and comment on. The comments would be recorded and presented to Cabinet in July. Following which, if Cabinet approved the proposed option, a decision would be taken to submit a full planning application for the preferred option.
21.4 Finally, Councillor Gowrley stated that subject to planning permission being achieved he looked forward to the Council delivering a flagship, high quality development at the former HQ site, in a timely fashion that would provide much needed homes for residents and support the prosperity of Needham Market.
21.5 Councillor Welsby seconded the report and reserved the right to speak.
21.6 A short presentation on the design principles of the scheme was delivered by the Lead Design Partner.
21.7 Councillors were asked to comment on the proposals and the following comments were made:-
21.8 Councillor Mansel queried whether buyers for the properties not included in the exemplar proportion would have the opportunity to bring their properties up to those standards if they so wished?
21.9 Councillor Barker welcomed the electric charging points for cars and asked that the scheme be progressed as soon as possible.
21.10 Councillor Ekpenyong asked why radiators were being used and not underfloor heating?
21.11 Councillor Stringer welcomed the sustainability of the proposed design but asked if any consideration had been given to battery storage?
21.12 Councillor Burke queried whether there were enough car parking spaces for members of the public?
21.13 Councillor Welham asked if there would be any control over the sustainability of the retail units?
21.14 Councillor Killett queried whether there was any evidence to show that families were happy to live in this three-storey type of provision?
21.15 Councillor Eburne asked how the exemplar design and sustainable energy provision would be measured and recorded to highlight the benefits it would have on the environment and the residents.
21.16 Councillor Otton questioned whether consideration had been given to provide supported housing for people over 55?
21.17 The Monitoring Officer advised at this point in the meeting that if the
Council wished to discuss the relative merits of the different options they
should move to exclude the public.
Supporting documents: