Agenda item

Members of the Panel had been on a tour of the Lynnsport Development and Major Housing sites before the meeting.  The Corporate Project Officer provided the Panel with details of the sites visited (as attached) and highlighted the following parts of the project which had been completed:

·        Relocation of Miniature Railway

·        Reconstruction of Southern Car Park

·        Construction of new Northern Car Park with flood protection

·        Construction of new Hockey Pitches

·        Culvert of drain from Reid Way to Spenser Road

·        Construction of new road from Alive Lynnsport to Spenser Road, with new roundabout and signal work on Edward Benefer Way

·        Drain widening off Kilhams Way

·        Construction of new Tennis Courts

·        Work to Salters Sanctuary wildlife area

·        Remediation of old land raise site

The Panel was also provided with key dates for the next stages of the project (as attached). 

The Chairman thanked the Corporate Project Officer for the tour and the update and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

The Vice Chairman, Councillor Mrs Wright referred to the grassed areas around Edward Benefer Way and the Car Park.  The Corporate Project Officer confirmed that a planting scheme was included in the project.  This would include visibility splays and bare soil would be seeded.  A knee high fence would be installed in front of the car park to surround the play area.

The Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Special Projects explained that the ground conditions would need to be taken into account when considering planting and in areas where it would be difficult for plants or wildflowers to thrive the areas would be grassed and mowed.  He reminded those present of Salters Sanctuary.

Councillor Mrs Watson raised concern regarding one of the ponds, which was very green and it was difficult to see the water.  The Executive Director agreed to get the Grounds Maintenance Team to investigate.

In response to a question from Councillor Tyler, the Corporate Project Officer explained that during the initial stages of the project, Members had commented that they wanted the project to be right first time and be done properly.  Following this he had engaged stakeholders, taken expert advice and used ecology consultants to assist with the development of Salters Sanctuary. 

In response to a question from Councillor Crofts, it was explained that the new play equipment was currently out for tender and the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Special Projects requested that the details of the play equipment be circulated to Members of the Panel for information.

Councillor Pope addressed the Panel under Standing Order 34 and made reference to the tree planting.  The Corporate Project Officer explained that there would be orchard areas, but the broad leaf trees would have a high canopy to increase visibility in the area and deter antisocial behaviour.

In response to a question from Councillor Tyler, the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Special Projects explained that one resident had raised an issue regarding the proximity of the play area to the Car Park.  No concerns had been raised by Alive Leisure or other users of the play area.  To alleviate the concern of the resident it had been proposed to install a knee high fence adjacent to the play area.

The Chairman referred to the density of the proposed housing development and it was explained that the Marsh Lane site was 12 acres and would deliver 120 properties.  The Corporate Project Officer felt that the site was very well designed and would not be too dense, by modern standards.  He also explained that the houses would be built to be as efficient as possible in terms of heating and insulation.

The Corporate Project Officer commented that the Marsh Lane site was launched a couple of weeks ago and already lots of units had been sold or reserved.  He was hopeful that once the units were marketed, they would be popular.

The Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Special Projects hoped that Members had found the tour of the site useful and reminded them that the project included improvements at Lynnsport and was not just about housing.  He reminded them that Salters Sanctuary had been created and lots of accessible green space would be made available.  He hoped that the area would be a pleasant place to live and an asset to the area.