Agenda item

(Leisure & Community Services Portfolio Holder) To consider the attached report (C-014-2016/17).

(1)        That the Hillhouse Master Plan, produced by Essex Housing and JTP Consultants on behalf of the Council, Essex County Council and NHS England (available as a Background Paper and summarised in the Concept Illustrative Master Plan in the Appendix attached to the report) be endorsed;

(2)        That approval be given to the Council being a party to the submission of an Outline Planning Application by Essex Housing, on behalf of the Council, Essex County Council and NHS England, and to the Council’s expenditure for its share of the costs of preparing the Outline Planning Application;

(3)        That approval be given to the Council contributing an appropriate amount, through the Council’s new Leisure Management contractor, towards the overall financial contribution required from the three key partners towards the provision of alternative sports/recreation facilities elsewhere in Waltham Abbey, in order to compensate for the loss of informal recreation space at Hillhouse and to enable the proposed development to proceed; and

(4)        That the Portfolio Holder Advisory Group on Leisure Management be authorised to include a provision, and to determine an appropriate specified amount, within the Invitation to Tender for the Council’s Leisure Management Contract, requiring the new Leisure Management contractor to provide the Council’s share of the required financial contribution, referred to in Decision (3) above.

The Portfolio Holder for Leisure & Community Services presented a report on the Master Plan and Development for Hillhouse in Waltham Abbey.

The Portfolio Holder stated that the Council’s adopted Leisure and Cultural Strategy 2015-2025 identified a need for the existing Waltham Abbey Swimming Pool to be replaced by a new facility in Waltham Abbey, as well as an opportunity to provide a “community hub” at Hillhouse, Waltham Abbey - with the aim of co-locating health and wellbeing services to improve the quality of life of residents in this area of health inequality.  Accordingly, the Council’s Key Action Plan for its Corporate Plan included plans to investigate the feasibility of developing a new leisure/community hub at Hillhouse and to progress the provision of a replacement swimming pool in Waltham Abbey. In addition, other statutory partners had identified the need for: a replacement community space/facility in the locality; the provision of around 240 independent living homes; and a new health centre to replace the existing Doctors Surgery adjacent to the site.

The Portfolio Holder explained that the proposed site comprised land in the ownership of Epping Forest District Council and Essex County Council, who had worked together with NHS England to develop a Master Plan for the area which, following consultation with local people and key stakeholders, would provide the identified community facilities, whilst also retaining around half of the existing playing fields as informal recreation space, and help facilitate alternative sports/recreation to be provided elsewhere in Waltham Abbey. An Outline Planning Application now needed to be submitted by the three key partners to seek approval to the general principle of development and to the general location and size of the three main components, in order to enable the three partners to progress their individual elements.

The Deputy Chief Executive added that the proposed new Leisure Centre would be included in the new Leisure Management Contract, and the indicative costs would be reported to the Portfolio Holder Advisory Group the following week. The existing Swimming Pool at Roundhills would remain open until the new Leisure Centre was complete, and the Roundhills site would be considered as part of the Local Plan process.

The Cabinet felt that the proposed scheme was an excellent development, which would provide a new Leisure Centre and Health Centre for Waltham Abbey. The input from residents during the consultation was welcomed and the development would be an asset for Waltham Abbey. The Portfolio Holder confirmed that approximately 60 independent living homes would also be provided as part of the scheme.

A local Member informed the Cabinet that local residents had appreciated the consultation exercise; however, would the Portfolio Holder respond to the concerns of residents before the detailed planning application was submitted. The Portfolio Holder confirmed that she would be happy to talk to residents and answer any questions they might have before the detailed planning application was submitted.

The Deputy Chief Executive reiterated that the costs of the Development would be apportioned across all partners, including the fee for the planning application, and 50% of the space would be retained as open space. The Community facility had been merged with the Leisure facility to increase usage. The Leader of Council highlighted that the scheme was a good example of partnership working and would free up an existing site for better uses.

Decision:

(1)        That the Hillhouse Master Plan, produced by Essex Housing and JTP Consultants on behalf of the Council, Essex County Council and NHS England (available as a Background Paper and summarised in the Concept Illustrative Master Plan in the Appendix attached to the report) be endorsed;

(2)        That approval be given to the Council being a party to the submission of an Outline Planning Application by Essex Housing, on behalf of the Council, Essex County Council and NHS England, and to the Council’s expenditure for its share of the costs of preparing the Outline Planning Application;

(3)        That approval be given to the Council contributing an appropriate amount, through the Council’s new Leisure Management contractor, towards the overall financial contribution required from the three key partners towards the provision of alternative sports/recreation facilities elsewhere in Waltham Abbey, in order to compensate for the loss of informal recreation space at Hillhouse and to enable the proposed development to proceed; and

(4)        That the Portfolio Holder Advisory Group on Leisure Management be authorised to include a provision, and to determine an appropriate specified amount, within the Invitation to Tender for the Council’s Leisure Management Contract, requiring the new Leisure Management contractor to provide the Council’s share of the required financial contribution, referred to in Decision (3) above.

Reasons for Decision:

The Council had identified a need to replace its existing swimming pool at Roundhills, Waltham Abbey with a new facility elsewhere in Waltham Abbey. Other statutory partners had also identified the need for an independent living scheme for older people in the District and a new health centre to replace the existing doctors surgery in Maynard Court.

The site at Hillhouse was in a relatively central, well-populated, part of Waltham Abbey; was no longer used for formal sports activities; the community centre had been closed; and the land was in the ownership of the Council and Essex County Council – all of which presented a good opportunity to provide an integral leisure and community hub for Waltham Abbey.

Cabinet approval was required for submission of an Outline Planning Application by Essex Housing, on behalf of the three key partners.

Other Options Considered and Rejected:

To not endorse the Master Plan. However, this would result in an Outline Planning Application not being submitted in time for the procurement of the new, long-term, Leisure Management Contract, which would not only significantly increase the financial risks of the Leisure Management Contract, but would also lose the opportunity for three much-needed community facilities being provided in a planned and co-ordinated way.

To not agree to the Council being a party to the Outline Planning Application. However, not only would this result in the Outline Planning Application not being made, but would also lead to an un-planned and un-coordinated approach to the development of the Hillhouse area.

To not contribute an appropriate amount towards the provision of alternative sports/recreation facilities elsewhere in Waltham Abbey. However, this would undoubtedly result in an objection to the planning application by Sport England, a statutory consultee, and result in the planning application being referred to the National Planning Casework Unit.

To not authorise the Leisure Management Portfolio Holder Advisory Group to include provision within the Invitation to Tender for the Council’s Leisure Management Contract for the Council’s share of the required financial contribution. However, if provision was not made for the new Leisure Management contractor to make the payment then the Council would still need to meet the cost and make appropriate budgetary provision for the payment.