Agenda item

(Director of Neighbourhoods) To consider the attached report AMED-009-2015/16.

The Director of Neighbourhoods presented a report to the Cabinet Committee and updated them on further progress which had been achieved since the publication of the Agenda.

(1)        Epping Forest Shopping Park – There was a separate report before the Cabinet Committee at Agenda Items 6 and 13 which would be heard together at the end of the Agenda.

(2)        Oakwood Hill Depot – Construction of the new depot was progressing as planned and was hoped to be completed by April 2016.  There would be planting of hedges and trees along the boundary to act as a shield between the building and the residents that live close by.

(3)        Pyrles Lane Nursery – A revised planning application has been submitted and was due to be considered by the District Development Management Committee on the 24 February 2016.

(4)        St. John’s Road – Approval of the Scheme by the Secretary of State under the ‘State Aid’ requirement had now been received and negotiations were on going between, Essex County Council, Frontier Estates and Epping Forest District Council.

The main issue to be resolved was an agreement of the ‘anti-embarrassment’ clause to protect the County Council in the event that the composition of the development was changed.

(5)        North Weald Airfield – At the last meeting of the Cabinet Committee, on the 13 October 2015, the Council’s Consultants, Savills, gave a verbal presentation of the outcome of an Expressions of Interest Exercise. The Cabinet Committee also recommended a number of key considerations to shape any further procurement exercise. In the intervening period, officers have taken further legal advice on the procurement requirements of letting a “concessionary” contract of this potential nature. Savills have submitted a fee proposal to undertake additional work, but this would require a waiver of contract standing orders and further supplementary funding.  It is officers’ view at this stage that the work can be progressed internally with the use of other specialist support only as required.

(6)        Winston Churchill / The Broadway, Debden – The Housing Association, who were due to develop the affordable units to the rear of the development, have withdrawn as they deem it was no longer viable for them to undertake this project since the changes to market rents which have been announced by Central Government. A report by the Director of Communities will be going to the next meeting of the Council Housebuilding Cabinet Committee on the 19 January 2016 for them to consider.

(7)        Ongar Academy – Heads of Terms have been agreed for the sale of the playing fields to accommodate the new school, subject to planning consent being agreed and would be considered at the District Development Management Committee in early 2016.

(8)        Town Mead Depot – As a result of the Environment Agency’s advice that the site was not suitable for any form of residential development other options were still being considered for the use of this land.

(9)        Hillhouse, Leisure/Community Hub – Funding for the Masterplanning exercise, as part of the Local Plan Budget Report was agreed by Cabinet on the 3 December 2015.

Resolved:

To note the progress on the Council’s Asset Management and Development projects.

Reasons for Decisions:

To comply with the Cabinet Committee’s previous request to monitor the development of the Council’s property assets on a regular basis.

Other Options Considered and Rejected:

None, as the monitoring report in for information, not action.