Agenda item

(Director of Neighbourhoods) To consider the attached report AMED-006-2016/17.

The Council’s Asset Management Development Consultant, Mr. C. Pasterfield, presented a report on current progress with regard to the development of the Epping Forest Shopping Park. Mr. Pasterfield was accompanied by Mr. T. McLaughlin of White, Young and Green, the Council’s appointed consultants for the management of the highway works related to the development of the shopping park, pursuant to Section 278 of the Highways Act 1980.

Mr. McLaughlin advised the Committee that the highway works were due to commence from the third week of September 2016, for a period of 39/40 weeks duration, and that this timescale included provision for weather-related delay. Members noted that all necessary works (including road closures) were to be undertaken during the hours of 8.00pm to 5.30am as a requirement of Essex County Council (the Highway Authority), in order to maintain traffic flows in the area of the shopping park site. A letter outlining the works to be carried out, including contact arrangements for complaints, had been issued to local residents by the works contractor and further communications would be made with residents at key stages in the works programme. The Committee requested that the letter already issued to local residents be provided to the local members for the Loughton Alderton and Loughton Broadway wards, and that monitoring of the progress of the highway works be included as a standing element of the regular report on overall scheme progress.

Mr. Pasterfield reported that the contract for the construction of the Shopping Park had been awarded to McLaughlin and Harvey Construction, who were due to take possession of the site and commence work in early September 2016. The Committee was advised that the marketing of the Shopping Park had  continued and that strong interest was being expressed by a number of parties. Mr. Pasterfield reported that legal agreements for the lease of various units were currently awaiting completion by external solicitors. Members noted that the Council’s Grounds Maintenance and Fleet Operations services had substantially relocated to the new depot at Oakwood Hill in Loughton and that the Langston Road Depot would shortly become fully vacant.

Mr. Pasterfield reported that a combination of the delay in the commencement of the highway works and the need to re-tender the main construction contract, had led to the opening date for the shopping park to be revised to August 2017. The Committee was advised that it was possible that any delays in the completion of the highway works could adversely affect the planned opening date of the shopping park.

The Director of Neighbourhoods reported to the Committee on the results of an analysis undertaken by the Council’s Economic Development Section with regard to the potential impact of the shopping park on business operating in its locality and elsewhere within (and outside) the Epping Forest District. The Committee requested that the analysis also be provided to local members for their information.

Resolved:

(1)       That current progress with regard to the development of the Epping Forest Shopping Park, including the required highway works, be noted; and

(2)       That monitoring of the progress of the highway works related to the development of the shopping park be included as a standing element of the report on overall scheme progress made to each meeting.

Reasons for Decision:

To comply with the previous request of the Committee that it periodically monitor the development of the Council’s property assets and, in particular that it receive regular detailed reports on progress with regard to the development of the Epping Forest Shopping Park.

Other Options Considered and Rejected:

None. The progress report was submitted at the specific request of the Committee.