Issue - meetings

To consider a report concerning consultation about redevelopment of Matchborough district centre.

(Report attached)

Members received a report which sought approval to undertake a feasibility study into the redevelopment of the Matchborough District Centre.

It was noted that the former New Town district centres of Church Hill, Matchborough, Winyates and Woodrow had previously been identified as areas for redevelopment.  Following on from the success of the Church Hill redevelopment Matchborough District Centre was the next preferred centre for redevelopment, and from a planning perspective this was an excellent opportunity to look at mixed use of the site.

Officers advised that, where possible and in the time available, tenants and shop owners of the Matchborough District Centre had been informally advised as to the position and that the Executive Committee’s approval was being sought to undertake a feasibility study.  Planning Officers would lead on the study and would work in conjunction with the Place Partnership on this.  Ward Members and stakeholders would be consulted and the outcomes of the study would be reported back to Members, together with suggestions from Officers about the next stages of the process of possible redevelopment.

A Member requested that Officers ensure that the following were consulted:

·       RSA Academy Arrow Vale;

·       Matchborough First School Academy;

·       Noah’s Ark Nursery;

·       Christ Church;

·       CCTV; and

·       The local Police.

A Member queried what was happening with the S106 money for leisure and when a decision would be made in this regard.  Officers stated that they would come back to Members on this, but that they would not expect expenditure to be incurred which might not support any future redevelopment of the area.  A request was made by some Members for Member involvement in the stages following the feasibility study, for example on either a working party or sub-committee, which would avoid the need for large numbers of matters being referred to the Executive Committee.   

RESOLVED that

a feasibility study be undertaken as to the merits of the redevelopment of the Matchborough District Centre.