Agenda item

To consider the attached report AMED-011-2014/15.

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 – An application for the release of reserve matters had now been submitted to the EFDC Development Control Department. The Section 278 improvement works to Chigwell Lane had been submitted for planning approval which was hoped to proceed smoothly. The Epping Forest Shopping Park was closely linked with our Oakwood Hill Depot as this was where most of the Langston Road services would be relocated.

(2)        Oakwood Hill Depot – There were 20 conditions relating to the planning permissions and an application for release of those reserve matters have been recently made. The site had been cleared and building contractors would be appointed and be on site by June 2015.

(3)        Pyrles Lane Nursery – There were a number of issues identified with regard to the access road to the Nursery. A solution had now been found and a planning application would be submitted in the near future.

(4)        St John’s Road – A draft contract has been issued to the prospective developer and details with regard to the land owned by ECC and involving Lyndsey house was progressing smoothly.

(5)        North Weald Airfield – Savills have been appointed as consultants with regard to the business aviation side of the Airfield and they were producing a brochure which would result in a marketing exercise. Through this exercise we would be able to ascertain what level of interest there was out there, which was hoped would be strong, as this was a very specialised area.

(6)        Torrington Drive – The Broadway Post Office was looking to relocate to another location in the Broadway. The unit would then become available to the Council and the possibility of opening up the side of the building and extending it could be explored. This would make the building a lot more attractive and further enhance the link between the Broadway and Debden tube station.

There had been no further progress to report regarding TFL and the redevelopment of the station car park.

(7)        Winston Churchill Public House – The Deed of Variation was progressing with the Solicitors. The Council believed that this was the correct way to document the agreement and draft documents would be issued soon.

The Garages in Vere Road were ready to demolish, subject to making sure electrical installations on the site were safe.

(8)        Broadway Car Parks / Burton Road Depot – A number of sites were being considered by the Communities Directorate and work to demolish the small jewellery shop to improve the access to the Burton Road car park was progressing.

(9)        Lindsey House Epping – is now part of the St Johns development with ECC and is progressing.

(10)      Town Mead Depot – The architects Pellings LLP had prepared a scheme for the raised part of the site only, as the adjoining fields were subject to flooding, which would be discussed with the other parties that were involved. The site was subject to flooding issues and Peter Brett Associates had been employed as consultants to consider the flooding issues.

(11)      Leader Lodge – As reported at the last meeting the sale of this site has now been completed. 

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 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.