Issue - meetings

The Corporate Director of Economy & Place to present a report which explores the options available to the council to help it shape the future of the Bootham Park Hospital site, guided by extensive public and stakeholder engagement.

Resolved:  (i)      That the results of the further phase of public and stakeholder engagement and the priorities identified for the future of Bootham Park Hospital site be noted.

Reason:     So that the council’s efforts to shape the future of the Site can be guided by the views and priorities of York citizens and stakeholders.

                   (ii)      That officers be authorised to negotiate with the current and future owner of the Bootham Park Hospital site in order to secure beneficial public use of the parkland in front of the hospital building, improved pedestrian and cycle routes through the Site and conservation and redevelopment of the Site to deliver homes and services which are of benefit to the city,

using the powers the council holds as owner/landlord of land over which the eastern access to the Site passes, its rights to maintain the cycle route that passes through the Site and as owner of property adjacent to the Site, and bring back to Executive the relevant decisions regarding property or asset agreements.

Reason:     So that officers can negotiate to achieve the desired outcomes in order to shape the future of the Site.

                   (iii)     That the delivery of sustainable transport routes through the Bootham Park Hospital Site and Bridge Lane be sought, via transport plans for this and adjacent developments.

Reason:     To further improve cycle journeys from the new Scarborough Bridge to the District Hospital and beyond, and from the residential areas of Rawcliffe and Clifton to the District Hospital and the city centre.

                   (iv)    That it be noted that the submitted Local Plan requires a full appraisal of the significance of the historic buildings, landscape and archaeology on the Site and any redevelopment proposals must arise out of this understanding, and that the Local Planning Authority be asked to provide pre-application engagement with any future land owner / developer.

Reason:     So that developers of the Site have clear and advance notice of the priorities and interests of the public and stakeholders, and can shape their development proposals accordingly.

                   (v)     That the remaining monies in the One Public Estate budget, estimated as £15,000, be deployed to fund planning, legal and other help and advice, in order to progress the actions needed to shape the future of the Bootham Park Hospital Site.

Reason:     So that work can progress to shape the future of the Site.

The Assistant Director of Regeneration & Asset Management presented a report which explored the options available to help the council shape the future of the Bootham Park Hospital Site (the Site), guided by extensive public and stakeholder engagement.

Since closure of Bootham Park Hospital, the council had worked with colleagues from the Hospital Trust and others to champion a positive future for the Site.  Details of consultation on the resulting Bootham Park Site Development Plan were set out in Annex 2 to the report, indicating at least 70% approval for all aspects of the plan.  On 14 January 2020 the Site’s owners, NHS Property Services Limited, had announced the appointment of Enterprise Retirement Living as their preferred purchaser, to deliver an independent living retirement home and other facilities. 

The following options had been examined, as detailed in paragraphs 41- 66:

Option A – to purchase the Site. 

Option B – to use the council’s legal and land holding rights as owner/landlord of part of the roadway providing access to the site from the east to shape the development.

Option C – to enhance the council’s control via the planning approval process and the requirements of the draft Local Plan.

The recommendations involved pursuing Options B and C.  Option A was not recommended, due to the cost and risk to the council.

The Executive Member for Finance & Performance welcomed the proposals, which would achieve much of what stakeholders and residents wanted for the site, in the context of the development of a much needed independent living facility within the city.

Resolved:  (i)      That the results of the further phase of public and stakeholder engagement and the priorities identified for the future of Bootham Park Hospital site be noted.

Reason:     So that the council’s efforts to shape the future of the Site can be guided by the views and priorities of York citizens and stakeholders.

                   (ii)      That officers be authorised to negotiate with the current and future owner of the Bootham Park Hospital site in order to secure beneficial public use of the parkland in front of the hospital building, improved pedestrian and cycle routes through the Site and conservation and redevelopment of the Site to deliver homes and services which are of benefit to the city, using the powers the council holds as owner/landlord of land over which the eastern access to the Site passes, its rights to maintain the cycle route that passes through the Site and as owner of property adjacent to the Site, and bring back to Executive the relevant decisions regarding property or asset agreements.

Reason:     So that officers can negotiate to achieve the desired outcomes in order to shape the future of the Site.

                   (iii)     That the delivery of sustainable transport routes through the Bootham Park Hospital Site and Bridge Lane be sought, via transport plans for this and adjacent developments.

Reason:     To further improve cycle journeys from the new Scarborough Bridge to the District Hospital and beyond, and from the residential areas of Rawcliffe  ...  view the full minutes text for item 82