To consider a report on the Pioneer Place project.
Minutes:
Kate Ingram presented a report to the Committee that was also due to be presented to a meeting of the Executive on Monday, 26th October 2020.
The report was seeking approval from the Executive for a revised development proposal at Curzon Street (Pioneer Place) and Manchester Road.
The report advised the Executive of the two recommended options available:
Option A: Approve the proposal and financial business case as set out in the report and:
I. Recommend to Full Council to approve the funding of the development including the acceptance of grant funding form Lancashire County Council and the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership as detailed in the Financial Implication Section of the report; and
II. Recommend to Full Council that the revised capital programme is approved as set out in the Financial Implication Section of the report; and
III. Delegate authority to the Strategic Head of Economy and Growth to negotiate and agree terms of variations to existing agreements and agree new agreements (as necessary) to give effect to this decision; and
IV. Approve an additional £65,000 of ¨upfront¨funding to meet the costs of a revised planning application with funding to be met from the Capital Programme Burnley Town Centre and Canalside Masterplan Budget; and
V. Authorise the Head of Legal and Democratic Services to complete all legal documents necessary to give effect to this decision (including appropriation of any land under Section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972, to enable disposal pursuant to section 233 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990)
Or Option B:
Refuse the proposal and financial business case set out in this report and instruct the Council`s Head of Legal and Democratic Services to terminate the Development Agreement by mutual agreement or issue a notice to terminate the Development Agreement as set out in paragraphs 31 and 32 of the report if the End User clause is not satisfied by 16th march 2021.
Grounds for the recommended options were outlined as below:
The Council and its development partner Maple Grove Developments has invested a considerable amount of time and resource into bringing the scheme to this stage, including securing the REEL cinema as an anchor occupier and securing £3m of funding from LCC and £3.6m from the LEP for ¨shovel ready¨ schemes to be delivered by Mach 2022. The Council now needs to make a decision as to whether or not to proceed with the scheme.
As set out to Members previously, the opportunity for a major Leisure based development in the Town Centre will bring new visitors to the town centre during the day and evening time, retain footfall, deliver new jobs and support the growth of the UCLAN campus. The development will diversify the town centre from a primarily retail lead offer and consolidate its leisure and evening economy offer. The development is a major strategic intervention in Burnley`s Town Centre and Canalside Masterplan and has gained much support from strategic partners and the Business Improvement District.
However, the scheme is not without its risks which were set out clearly in the report.
Members raised several issues in relation to the risks associated with the development. Members also recognised the benefits to the town of the proposal. Kate Ingram agreed to provide a full response to issues raised prior to the proposal to be presented to the meeting of the Full Council on 4th November 2020.
Prior to a vote on options A and B, Councillor Howard Baker advised that he would not be voting on the issue.
IT WAS AGREED
That the Scrutiny Committee recommend the choice of Option A to the Executive.