Agenda item

P-21.02 - EZ NORA Infrastructure

P-21.05 - Parkway (Florence Fields)

P-21.08 - Southend Road

P-21.09 - West Winch Growth Area

P-21.10a - Southgates Place Making

P-21.10b -STARS

P-21.11 - Guildhall

P-21.12 - ACC

P-21.14 - Riverfront

P-21.15 - Rail to River

P-21.16 – MUCH

P-23.08- Lynnsport 1

 

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EZ NORA Infrastructure

 

The Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place highlighted to Board a significant overspend from Norfolk County Council. He added most of the work was completed however minor works were outstanding.

 

Councillor Ring sought clarification on the travel hub to be built as planned.

 

The Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place confirmed the final report had not yet been received however it was positive as there was concern this aspect of the project was jeopardized.

 

Councillor Ring questioned further if the active travel hub was to go ahead, would this fit the Neighbourhood Board time frames for spending.

 

The Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place confirmed it would fit the time frame and requirements of the Neighbourhood Board to be in contract by March 2026, not to have spent the money by this date. He added the timeline was tight and therefore a risk.

 

Councillor Long raised a concern of the access road being gated and questioned if there were any future plans for this to be opened to allow access for fire emergency vehicles to access Nar Ouse Way and the A47.

 

The Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place advised he was unable to confirm but would raise with Norfolk County Council.

 

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor Kemp commented discussions had been had regarding this matter and added this would be useful for fire emergency vehicles.

 

Parkway (Florence Fields)

 

The Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place advised there had been good progress however sales slower than anticipated. He advised arrangements were being reviewed and housing research had been conducted to identify prospective purchasers.

 

The Chair, Councillor Beales highlighted site progress was going well.   The deputy mayor had recently undertaken a site visit who was particularly interested in the environmental aspects. The Chair confirmed that a site visit for members would be arranged and mentioned that the show home showed the modern construction methods in use, in clear and easy to understand detail.  He referenced the projected 55% saving in energy costs. He brought to the Board’s attention work going on to enable information to be more accessible to members without compromising commercial sensitivity. 

 

Councillor Ring commented the housing research reinforced the reason for building the developments and who the interested and prospective purchasers are.

 

The Chair, Councillor Beales highlighted a report was to go to the Corporate Performance Panel to provide an overview of the major housing programme.

 

In response to Councillor Kemp the Chair, Councillor Beales confirmed the technical risks had been resolved and outlined that works in connected with the attenuation tanks were progressing well.

 

Councillor Morley commented that overall the major housing programme was on target with the budget.  The Chair, Councillor Beales agreed there was realistic forecasting.

 

Southend Road

 

The Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place advised the Board, the project was near completion however the project had exceeded the target completion date with Homes England. He explained there was a review on the how to approach the sales strategy and there was an exempt cabinet member delegated decision covering this.

 

The Chair, Councillor Beales asked if a site visit for all members could be arranged and for this to be a multisite tour.

 

West Winch Growth Area

 

The Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place highlighted that members would have seen the recent news confirming the outline business case funding from the Department for Transport.   He mentioned issues with staffing capacity and an internal accounting anomaly which was being worked through along with ongoing matters as part of the project.

 

Councillor Morley sought clarification on the delay in the cooperation agreement and whether the deadline set by planning committee had been met.  The Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place advised he was unable to provide an update on the agreement.

 

The Chair, Councillor Beales commented work was ongoing and provided positive reassurance to members.

 

Councillor Blunt commented it was a concern for planning committee if this was not going to be completed within the six weeks deadline.

 

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor Kemp sought clarification if more funding was needed following funding from Homes England and the local contribution. She commented she was concerned about active travel.

 

The Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place commented the funding needed to be understood and Officers were working with Norfolk County Council to look at an additional scheme which was different to the Section 106 agreement. 

 

Southgates Place Making/ STARS

 

The Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place brought to the attention of the Board the delay with the transport element and delay in the submission of the outline business case from Norfolk County Council due to a funding gap. He advised the project had been paused whilst waiting for Norfolk County Council’s intention are going forward.

 

Councillor Long questioned if this was to be delayed then it was sensible to find a way for the existing area to be tidied up and maintained, specifically the boards/flyposters put up, as this area was owned by the Council.

 

The Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place commented there was a fundamental decision required about the business case for STARS which needed to be submitted. He explained the levelling up funding needed to be considered if that was to be used to complete the gyratory element of the scheme with expanded interventions and he confirmed that alternative funding programmes were being considered.  He commented what can be delivered needed to be considered from a planning perspective and that needs to take into account environmental improvements.

 

Councillor Long echoed his previous comments that the area needed to be tidied to improve that access route into the town.

 

The Chair, Councillor Beales commented Norfolk County Council were not going to fund the gap and therefore the plan needed to be revisited. He added the car garage needed to be demolished and that he was asking officers to look into whether the park can be opened up.

 

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor Kemp questioned if the project needed to be reviewed to determine what was to be achieved because  an increase in active travel should be a focus.  She questioned if there was to be green space to compensate the removal of the park.

 

The Chair, Councillor Beales responded to Councillor Kemp and reiterated the current proposed scheme would not happen due to the funding gap.

 

Councillor Morley commented the project scope needed to be recast to reflect aspirations the Borough Council have, and that Norfolk County Council’s positioning needed to be reflected in the reporting.

 

The Chair, Councillor Beales added officers were in communication with Norfolk County Council and await their decision made by Members.

 

Councillor Morley supported Councillor Long comments and suggested the risk rating be changed from amber to red.

 

In response to Councillor Kemp the Chair, Councillor Beales confirmed there was a constant thread of conversations being had to improve active travel.

 

ACC

 

The Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place referred to the LCWIP progressing and active travel hubs which were proposed to be located at Baker Lane and on the Enterprise Park.

 

In response to Councillor Morley, the Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place confirmed a report was expected imminently.

 

The Chair, Councillor Beales sought clarification on the progress with Baker Lane.

 

The Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place explained both projects would be run together.

 

The Chair, Councillor Beales raised concern on the impact of Baker Lane travel hub if the Enterprise Park travel hub was not delivered.

 

The Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place confirmed there had been discussions on the sites and would ensure a plan B was in place to ensure Baker Lane was delivered if the hub on the Enterprise Park was not.

 

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor Kemp sought clarification in the funding used to remove the contamination at the enterprise park.

 

The Chair, Councillor Beales advised a re-mediation statement was awaited to help determine the funding for the hub on the Enterprise Park.

 

The Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place commented there were concerns the project costs would be high and therefore not deliverable, however further details were awaited.

 

Councillor Morley commented a re-analysis should be done to identify if this project was still a requirement for the Borough and if the funding should be reallocated.

 

The Chair, Councillor Beales advised active travel hubs were identified as a key requirement by the Neighbourhood Board. He commented the question had been raised with reallocating the funds if the project was not deliverable. He explained the importance of understanding the difference between the Borough Council and the Neighbourhood Board.

 

Councillor Morley sought clarification in the accountable body if the project was not delivered.

 

The Programme Management Office Manager provided assurance; a report was planned to be presented to the Neighbourhood Board at the end of May following which the Board would decide the way forward.  If there was a change in scope a project adjustment request would follow.

 

Riverfront

 

The Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place highlighted there was progress with the Custom House following completion of a new business plan. He advised the new business plan included installation of a platform lift and accessible toilets and the ambition was to have an iconic and purposeful building. He added that the Neighbourhood Board had decided the Devil’s Alley aspect would be continued under alternative funding programmes and wanted to re-look at a less construction orientated design.

 

In response to Councillor Morley, the Programme Management Office Manager explained the evolution of the governance around the former town deal board/ town board now the Neighbourhood Board which outlined two levels of project adjustment request – one at ministerial level and one locally determined.

 

The Chair, Councillor Beales commented that with new funding programmes there was particular focus on projects which were already started, to be finished. He added there was minimal intervention to an iconic building such as the Custom House and that he believed Devil’s Alley needed to be a green space and a clean air area for the public.

 

Councillor Long echoed his previous comments on Southgates with Devil’s Alley which needed to be tidied and maintained.

 

Rail to River

 

The Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place advised the Board of positive progress including 14 trees and bespoke planters on Purfleet Street and New Conduit Street. He highlighted the two pop up shops had opened and a positive list of businesses interested. He advised of operational issues with the arch which were outstanding.

 

Councillor Long referred to the fire of a nearby building to the pop-up shops resulting in scaffolding. He provided a consideration would be to relocate the pop-up shops whilst the work and scaffolding was ongoing to the adjacent building.

 

The Chair, Councillor Beales advised the pop-up units were unable to be moved due to the service connections.

 

Under Standing Order 34 Cllr Kemp sought clarification on the available space for maritime history displays in the Custom House. She raised concern sight was not lost on the recreation of history.

 

The Chair, Councillor Beales commented the Borough Council owned art relating to history and it was being considered how this would be best presented.

 

MUCH

 

The Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place outlined that progress continued, and the project was on track to achieve the target date to open in Autumn 2025. He highlighted to the Board there were issues with changes in the levels outside the main entrance which Officers were working on, alongside Norfolk County Council. He added that UK Shared Prosperity Funding was used to resolve this issue.

 

The Board had no questions or comments on this project.

 

Lynnsport 1 

 

The Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place advised this project was still early on and the development consisted of 96 units.

 

The Chair, Councillor Beales commented it was a nice site and encouraged members to visit when this was arranged.  He added there were extra trees to be planted, and some properties will overlook the sports fields.