Agenda item

York Castle Gateway

This report sets out progress to date on the Castle Gateway project and opportunities to partner with other stakeholders to deliver the regeneration aims for the area. It also seeks to establish the principles and parameters of the Area of Opportunity policy for inclusion in the Local Plan.

Please note that Annex 7b (Arup Feasibility Study for Castle Car Park – Appendices) is available on line.

Decision:

Resolved:	That the Executive agree to:-

	(i)	The renaming of the regeneration area as Castle Gateway.
	(ii)	Approve the vision for the Castle Gateway as set out in paragraph 18, of the report.
	(iii)	Approve the revised Castle Gateway draft Area of Opportunity Policy, subject to the inclusion of the two additional points at item vi. raised at the Local Plan Working Group meeting, for progression in the emerging Local Plan process.
	(iv)	Develop a masterplan for the development of the council assets, infrastructure and public spaces within the Castle Gateway area.
	(v)	Create a stakeholder group to guide and develop the masterplan.
	(vi)	Note the £100k bid which will be considered as part of the 2017/18 budget to fund the development of masterplan design work for Castle Gateway.
	(vii)	Initiate a public consultation/develop a community forum to engage with the masterplan for the area.
	(viii)	Explore the business case for the development of the council’s assets in the Castle Gateway as part of a potential commercial venture with Steamrock Capital.
	(ix)	Bring a future report to Executive setting out the analysis of the Steamrock Capital partnership proposal and alternative delivery options.
	(x)	Close Castle Mills Car Park immediately and submit and implement a planning application to demolish it and provide a temporary meanwhile use on the site in advance of any long-term redevelopment.
	(xi)	Allocate £80k release from contingency to facilitate consultation and commercial and technical advice.
	(xii) (xiii)	Note the required additional staff resource to deliver the recommendations from existing budgets, and note the likely need of future resource and budget to deliver the project. Appoint a Council cross party Working Group to receive briefings on the Castle Gateway Project and updates on progress.
Reason:	(i)	To change the name to better reflect the geography and nature of the area.
	(ii)	To deliver the regeneration aims of the Castle Gateway project.
	(iii)	To ensure the Castle Gateway vision is enshrined in planning policy.
	(iv)	To provide a cohesive and informed design approach to the Castle Gateway.
	(v)	To ensure the masterplan is driven by key stakeholders as principal custodians for this area of the city.
	(vi)	To support the masterplan and design work of the cultural partnership.
	(vii)	To ensure the public are engaged and consulted in helping to shape proposals for the Castle Gateway.
	(viii)	To explore the proposals from the largest neighbouring landowner to work in partnership to jointly develop out land assets.
	(ix)	To provide detailed advice to the Executive to make an informed decision on the preferred delivery options for the Castle Gateway.
	(x)	To demolish the poor quality existing car park due to Health and Safety concerns and implement a temporary use for the site in advance of a decision being taken on the long-term development options.
	(xi)	To fund the additional work set out in this report.
	(xii) (xiii)	To deliver the recommendations outlined in this report and ensure the regeneration of the Caste Gateway. To ensure Members are kept updated with progress on the regeneration of the area.

Minutes:

Members considered a report which set out progress to date on the Castle Gateway project and opportunities to partner with other stakeholders to deliver the regeneration aims for the area. Copies of the draft minutes from the Local Plan Working Group meeting, on 23 January were also circulated, which highlighted the suggested amendments in relation to the Draft Area of Opportunity Policy.

Officers confirmed the approach to be taken for the delivery of the vision for the area together with the key challenges and the need for a working group to develop the proposals. Whilst there was a need to keep the membership of the working group targeted it would also engage with a broader group of stakeholders. Members were informed of discussions with Steamrock Capital, owners of a long term lease of the Coppergate Centre and of undeveloped properties on Piccadilly, in forming a partnership with the authority.

Members welcomed the proposals for the enhancement of the public realm and city’s heritage and also agreed to the establishment of a cross party working group to receive briefings on progress.

Following further discussion it was

Resolved:	That the Executive agree to:-

	(i)	The renaming of the regeneration area as Castle Gateway.
	(ii)	Approve the vision for the Castle Gateway as set out in paragraph 18, of the report.
	(iii)	Approve the revised Castle Gateway draft Area of Opportunity Policy, subject to the inclusion of the two additional points at item vi. raised at the Local Plan Working Group meeting, for progression in the emerging Local Plan process. ^1.
	(iv)	Develop a masterplan for the development of the council assets, infrastructure and public spaces within the Castle Gateway area. ^2.
	(v)	Create a stakeholder group to guide and develop the masterplan.
	(vi)	Note the £100k bid which will be considered as part of the 2017/18 budget to fund the development of masterplan design work for Castle Gateway.
	(vii)	Create an advisory group comprising key stakeholders and landowners in the Castle Gateway area and create a community forum for the area.^3.
	(viii)	Explore the business case for the development of the council’s assets in the Castle Gateway as part of a potential commercial venture with Steamrock Capital.
	(ix)	Bring a future report to Executive setting out the analysis of the Steamrock Capital partnership proposal and alternative delivery options. ^4.
	(x)	Close Castle Mills Car Park immediately and submit and implement a planning application to demolish it and provide a temporary meanwhile use on the site in advance of any long-term redevelopment. ^5.
	(xi)	Allocate £80k release from contingency to facilitate consultation and commercial and technical advice.
	(xii) (xiii)	Note the required additional staff resource to deliver the recommendations from existing budgets, and note the likely need of future resource and budget to deliver the project. Appoint a Council cross party Castle Gateway Member Briefing Group to receive briefings on the project and updates on progress. ^6.
Reason:	(i)	To change the name to better reflect the geography and nature of the area.
	(ii)	To deliver the regeneration aims of the Castle Gateway project.
	(iii)	To ensure the Castle Gateway vision is enshrined in planning policy.
	(iv)	To provide a cohesive and informed design approach to the Castle Gateway.
	(v)	To ensure the masterplan is driven by key stakeholders as principal custodians for this area of the city.
	(vi)	To support the masterplan and design work of the cultural partnership.
	(vii)	To ensure the public are engaged and consulted in helping to shape proposals for the Castle Gateway.
	(viii)	To explore the proposals from the largest neighbouring landowner to work in partnership to jointly develop out land assets.
	(ix)	To provide detailed advice to the Executive to make an informed decision on the preferred delivery options for the Castle Gateway.
	(x)	To demolish the poor quality existing car park due to Health and Safety concerns and implement a temporary use for the site in advance of a decision being taken on the long-term development options.
	(xi)	To fund the additional work set out in this report.
	(xii) (xiii)	To deliver the recommendations outlined in this report and ensure the regeneration of the Caste Gateway. To ensure Members are kept updated with progress on the regeneration of the area.

Supporting documents: