Agenda item

Purpose:

To request approval for the revised strategic objectives and a revised delivery strategy for the London Road Industrial Estate that focus on developing the site for economic growth and utilising Council-owned assets for the benefit of the local community, and that take account of evolving economic drivers, market demand and the district’s ambition to be carbon neutral by 2030.

Resolved that Executive:

(a) approve revised strategic objectives for the project as follows:

By 2030, the London Road Industrial Estate programme will have achieved:

1. The sustainable economic regeneration of London Road Industrial Estate to create an appealing destination for businesses.

2. Inward investment, green economic growth and the creation of employment opportunities for local people;

3. A positive contribution to the district’s carbon neutrality aspirations;

(b) approve a revised delivery strategy as set out in paragraph 6.9 and 6.10 of the report;

(c) delegate authority to Executive Director, Place in consultation with Section 151 Officer and Portfolio Holder to negotiate and restructure leases or buy back leases, and approve such agreement as necessary to secure the LRIE delivery strategy, AND that the Service Lead for Legal & Electoral Services shall have the delegated authority to enter to such agreements.

(d) delegate authority to Executive Director, Place in consultation with Portfolio Holder for Economic Development to select a new name for LRIE which reflects the district’s carbon neutrality ambitions, following a competition involving local schools.

This decision is eligible to be ‘called-in’.  However, if the decision has not been ‘called-in’ by 5.00pm on 16 June 2022, then it will be implemented.

Councillor Mackinnon introduced the report (Agenda Item 12), which represented the next stage for the regeneration of the London Road Industrial Estate.

Councillor Mackinnon commented that whilst it was originally envisaged that an element of residential development would form some part of achieving financial viability of the site, recent land valuations and soft market testing had revealed instead a demand for commercial space. As such the report suggested full commercial re-development of the site by 2026 offering up to 300 jobs.

Councillor Vickers was curious that there was no provision for housing, and requested confirmation from Councillor Mackinnon that there was no intention of building residential property on the site.

Councillor Mackinnon responded that there were no plans within the current strategy to build any residential property at the site. Councillor Mackinnon commented that market conditions had changed and hence plans for the site reflected the change.

Councillor Abbs queried how drainage and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS), would be dealt with.

Councillor Mackinnon responded that there was a highly trained team of engineers and officers who would deal with drainage and SuDS issues at the appropriate time.

Councillor David Marsh queried why there had been such a sudden decision not to build housing on a brown field site, whilst supporting development on a green field site at Sandleford.

Councillor Mackinnon responded that the site was being developed for commercial use to create high quality jobs.

Councillor Marsh queried whether car dealerships would form a part of the commercial regeneration, given the large expanse that they filled with only few employees.

Councillor Mackinnon commented that in terms of land that could be controlled on the site the aim was to create high quality commercial space with numerous high quality jobs.

Councillor Dillon queried whether the Council would entertain being the sponsor of a football stadium on the site which would be an employment provider in relation to conference facilities and venue hire.

Councillor Mackinnon suggested that there would be an inadequate number of jobs created by such a proposal. Councillor Mackinnon suggested that the regeneration of the estate provided an opportunity for cross-party working in the future

Councillor Doherty seconded the report and welcomed the change of approach as a means of attracting investment to West Berkshire. Councillor Doherty referred to the launch of the new economic development website which was already attracting hundreds of views, predominantly from London, and commented that there was a real opportunity for West Berkshire to attract business from outside of the area.

RESOLVED that:Executive

(a) approve revised strategic objectives for the project as follows:

By 2030, the London Road Industrial Estate programme will have achieved:

1. The sustainable economic regeneration of London Road Industrial Estate to create an appealing destination for businesses.

2. Inward investment, green economic growth and the creation of employment opportunities for local people;

3. A positive contribution to the district’s carbon neutrality aspirations;

(b) approve a revised delivery strategy as set out in paragraph 6.9 and 6.10 of the report;

(c) delegate authority to Executive Director, Place in consultation with Section 151 Officer and Portfolio Holder to negotiate and restructure leases or buy back leases, and approve such agreement as necessary to secure the LRIE delivery strategy, AND that the Service Lead for Legal & Electoral Services shall have the delegated authority to enter to such agreements.

(d) delegate authority to Executive Director, Place in consultation with Portfolio Holder for Economic Development to select a new name for LRIE which reflects the district’s carbon neutrality ambitions, following a competition involving local schools.