-
Agenda item
Site at West Marina
Minutes:
With the agreement of the chair this item was moved to the top of the agenda.
Councillors Lee and S Beaney left the chamber during the discussion and vote.
The Assistant Director Financial Services and Revenues presented a report to relevant objections received regarding the proposed long lease of land forming open space at West Marina and thereafter agree, if appropriate, the Heads of Terms for the long lease of the site.
The Council must fully and properly consider any relevant objections in accordance with statutory provision in coming to a decision.
The agreement of the Heads of Terms enables the Council and the developer to draw up the necessary legal agreement in order to progress a development proposal. Any such proposal will need planning permission.
Such relevant objections relate to the loss of open space rather than any specific development proposals which may subsequently be forthcoming.
Virginia Vilela the lead petitioner spoke on behalf of the petitioners:· The petitioner believes that is a valuable green space that should be enhanced and protected to make West St Leonards a destination for locals and visitors
· The petitioner is keen to see a positive future for this site, building on the leisure and recreational use she believes a residential/commercial development would not enhance this seafront site in any way. The site is used by many groups of people.
· The petitioner drew attention to the storm tanks under the site. Due to Southern Waters access requirements to these she believes that nothing can be built on top of them.
· The petitioner doesn’t believe the preferred contractor has any relevant experience for recreational development.
· The petitioner would like the council to consider the old Stamco site and MOD site as part of redevelopment plans
The Assistant Director Financial Services and Revenues spoke on the item: There is no formal scheme to be consulted on as yet. This is in the council’s development plan. The public will have a say, as will Councillors, on the final scheme. A scheme would go through a planning process and include planning forums once agreed. It is recognised the land is well used and the outline discussions would not lose the recreational space and the children’s play area. This scheme is intending to enhance the recreational use. We have received assurances that these are viable on this site and the intention here is to develop a quality site and destination. The development of this site has been in the last 3 local plans but it hasn’t been an attractive site to developers until recently.
All other developers were proposing housing developments but County Gate are proposing housing, some cafes, restaurants and a slipway. The idea is to spread tourism along to the West Marina. Councillors discussed the slipway being previously rejected but experts have since come up with new ideas that they assure us can work.
Councillors asked where we are with the Stamco and MOD sites. The council are in discussions for the MOD site, and the Stamco site is on the market but at a very high asking price. The beach huts on the site have the potential to remain but there are also plans to relocate them.
Councillor Chowney proposed approval of the recommendations of the Assistant Director’s report. This was seconded by Councillor Batsford.
RESOLVED (by 4 for, to 1 against) that:
1. Having carried out the necessary procedures under Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 and having taken account of the relevant objections received Cabinet is recommended to enter into a long lease with County Gate/Sunley on the Heads of Terms contained in the Part 2 report.
2. That the Chief Finance Officer, in consultation with the leader of the Council and Chief Legal Officer, be authorised to negotiate and agree the final terms of the lease disposal.
Reasons for the recommendation:
The Council must fully and properly consider any relevant objections in accordance with statutory provision in coming to a decision.
The agreement of the Heads of Terms enables the Council and the developer to draw up the necessary legal agreement in order to progress a development proposal. Any such proposal will need planning permission.
Such relevant objections relate to the loss of open space rather than any specific development proposals which may subsequently be forthcoming.
The Chair adjourned the meeting at 6.49pm. The Chair reconvened the meeting at 6.54pm.
Supporting documents:
- CAP - Part 1 West Marina Report v2, item 158. PDF 170 KB
- 27930 - scanned objections for report, item 158. PDF 1 MB
- Bathing pool site petition, item 158. PDF 45 KB
- CAP - Part 1 West Marina Report - Supplementary report 27 february 2019, item 158. PDF 112 KB
- 28284 - Scan of objections to 0900 270219_Redacted, item 158. PDF 4 MB
- CAP - Part 1 West Marina Report - Supplementary report 4 March 2019, item 158. PDF 111 KB
- 28811 - Last objections 106_Redacted, item 158. PDF 17 MB
-
My council
Contact
Contact us if you have a question about democratic services.
Content
The content on this page is the responsibility of our Democratic Services team.