Agenda item

To consider the report and make any appropriate recommendations to Cabinet.

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The Chair raised correspondence she had received from a business on London Road expressing concern that they could lose parking spaces outside their businesses.  The Regeneration Programmes Manager explained that there were no plans to change parking arrangements in London Road as part of this report.  The report was seeking approval to commission a masterplan for the area.

The Regeneration Programmes Manager presented the Cabinet Report as included in the Agenda.  The Chair thanked the Regeneration Programmes Manager for the report and invited questions and comments from Members, as summarised below.

Councillor Bambridge commented that she had received many letters from residents and businesses in the area.  She also stressed the importance of retaining traffic through the Southgate and ensuring that business still retained parking outside.  She acknowledged that traffic flow needed improvement and residents should be considered and consulted.

In response to a question from Councillor Morley it was explained that the creation of the Masterplan would go out to tender.

The Chair, Councillor Collingham felt that it was important that local representatives had the opportunity to input into the Masterplan.

Councillor Parish commented that it was a feature of King’s Lynn that traffic came into town through the Southgate and this should be retained.  He also commented that it was important to have local input into the Masterplan.

Councillor Collingham commented that it would be good for the Panel to have a breakout session on ideas for the area.

Councillor Kemp addressed the Panel under Standing Order 34 and commented that the Southgate should be retained as the route into the town, removal of parking was a worry, it was important to support businesses in the area and she also suggested pop up shops in the vacant units in the area to improve the area.  She commented that it was important for local people to have input into the plan.

Councillor Bone commented that it was important to protect shops in the area, agreed that traffic should come through the Southgate and suggested that the vacant land in the area could be considered for a Doctors Surgery.  He also echoed comments made by others that local input into the Masterplan was important.

Councillor Nockolds addressed the Panel under Standing Order 34 and commented that the Southgate was an important historical building and was open to visitors, and consideration should be given to making the area attractive for residents and tourists.  She commented that consultation should take place with the HAZ Board.

The Vice Chair, Councillor Gidney commented that he did not feel diverting traffic from the Southgate would improve traffic flow, but consideration also needed to be given to the historic nature of the gate and if it was necessary to divert traffic around it in order to protect it.

Councillor Jones commented that consideration should be given to diverting HGV’s away from the Southgates.  He also commented that the traffic light sequencing needed to be looked at to improve traffic flow.

The Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Development thanked the Panel for their comments and explained that he would discuss with officers how this could be taken forward. 

RESOLVED: That the Regeneration and Development Panel support the recommendations to Cabinet, to as set out below.  The Panel also asked Cabinet to consider the comments put forward by Members of the Panel and the importance of engaging local residents and businesses in the Masterplan.

1. Delegate authority to the Assistant Director for Housing, Regeneration and Place in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Development and Regeneration to commission a masterplan for the Southgate Regeneration Area as set out in section 2 of the report.

2. Delegate authority to the Assistant Director for Housing, Regeneration and Place in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Development and Regeneration to complete the necessary procurement, permissions and legal requirements for the works detailed in section 2 and 3 of the report.