Issue - meetings

This report sets out work undertaken since September 2012 to develop options for the future use of the Burnholme Community College site and proposes a broad consultation exercise with the local community to seek their views on what happens on the site following the closure of the college in July 2014.

Resolved:           That Cabinet agree to a community consultation exercise being undertaken, in relation to the Burnholme site, in order to seek views on the options set out in the report and for further work to be done to assess affordability  which will be brought back to Cabinet in early 2014 to inform a decision on the preferred option.

Reason:              To deliver a sustainable community facility on the Burnholme site and support corporate priorities with respect to Building Strong Communities and Protecting Vulnerable People.

Consideration was given to a report which set out details of work undertaken to develop options for the future use of the Burnholme Community College site. This included consultation with the local community to seek their views on the proposals.

Following the decision taken to close the College, owing to a fall in student numbers, a review had been undertaken to investigate a range of alternative uses for the site which included health and wellbeing and retail and housing. With over 300 people taking part in consultation in July 2013 this had resulted in suggestions for a number of possible themes and interest expressed in use of the site by eleven different organisations. The options being considered for the site were:

A   Housing only

B1 Health and Wellbeing Hub – New Build.

B2 Health and Wellbeing Hub – part refurbished/ part new build.

C  Small scale Community use

A full appraisal had now been undertaken and a number of high level options developed which were fully discussed in the report together with the financial viability and affordability of each scheme.

The Cabinet Member expressed his support for the site to remain as a focal point of the area and for continued community engagement to hear residents’ views prior to a final decision being taken.

Resolved:           That Cabinet agree to a community consultation exercise being undertaken, in relation to the Burnholme site, in order to seek views on the options set out in the report and for further work to be done to assess affordability  which will be brought back to Cabinet in early 2014 to inform a decision on the preferred option. ^1.

Reason:              To deliver a sustainable community facility on the Burnholme site and support corporate priorities with respect to Building Strong Communities and Protecting Vulnerable People.