Agenda item

To consider the attached report (AMED-006-2014/15).

The Cabinet Committee noted a report from the Asset Management Co-ordination Group on the progress made with the development of the Council’s property assets.

The Assistant Director, Asset Management & Economic Development reported orally on further progress which had been achieved since the matters had been considered by the Group.

(1)        Epping Forest Shopping Park – Two letting agents had been appointed to market the retail park. They were talking to a number of fashion retailers who had shown a strong interest at this early stage. An updated report would be presented at the next meeting of the Cabinet Committee.

The Consultant team was almost up to full strength, there were two appointments still to be made and a shortlist had been prepared. A tendering process would be carried out in the next 2-3 weeks. This project was moving ahead and it would soon be clear what the target dates and the programme the joint partners would be working to. An updated report would be presented at the next meeting of the Cabinet Committee.

(2)        Oakwood Hill Depot – The Council’s consultants, Stace were resolving the final planning conditions with the Planning Department. A full report with revised costings and a detailed programme would be presented at the next Cabinet Committee meeting.

(3)        Pyrles Lane Nursery – A new planning application for residential development was being prepared and a new traffic survey had been completed. Options regarding design were being considered with regard to the access to the site and a new application should be submitted by Christmas.

(4)        St John’s Road – The Council were in discussion with the joint partners Essex County Council and Epping Town Council and they were now looking to appoint solicitors to liaise directly with the developer Frontier Estates Limited with a view to progressing this site.

(5)        North Weald Airfield – Approval from Council had been received with regard to business aviation to look for a partner who had experience within this specialist area to help Epping Forest District Council to increase business on the aviation side and generate more income. Savills, the consultants, were looking to progress this as soon as possible.

(6)        Torrington Drive – Talks were continuing with TFL but they had emphasised that the redevelopment of Debden Station car park was not on their current development programme.

The link between the tube station and the Broadway would further enhance the route to the Broadway and any further updates would be presented to the next meeting of the Cabinet Committee.

(7)        Winston Churchill Public House – Demolition of the public house had now taken place and a detailed programme from our development partners was awaited.

Planning permission had now been obtained to demolish the lock up garages in Vere Road. This would give the shoppers a much improved car park to the rear of the shops.

(8)        Broadway Car Parks/Burton Road Depot – Possession had now been taken of the former jewellers shop which has relocated on The Broadway. Work to demolish the shop and widen the walkway to provide better access to the Burton Road car park was now being progressed.

(9)        Lindsay House Epping – Possession had now been taken of this property and approval granted at the 23 June 2014 Cabinet to market the property. Agents had been appointed following a tender process. Essex County Council had expressed interest in the building and discussions were taking place with them.

(10)      Town Mead Depot – The Council were looking to appoint an architectural and planning consultant to assist Peter Brett Associates to formulate a scheme which would be able to address the flooding issues.

(11)      Leader Lodge – This was in the final stages with legal services for disposal.

Resolved:

That the monitoring report on the development of the Council’s property assets be noted.

Reasons for Decision:

To comply with the Cabinet Committee’s previous request to monitor the development of the Council’s property assets periodically.

Other Options Considered and Rejected:

None, as this monitoring report was for information not action.