Decision details

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Leader presented a detailed report updating Members on work undertaken to progress the Market Walk Extension and wider town centre plans since the last report to Council in September 2016. The report sought approval to the awarding of the contract to continue with the main build and associated enabling works for the extension and the first phase of the town centre public realm plans.

The following Appendices were attached to the report:

·         Appendix A – Site plan

·         Appendices B and C – Elevational drawings

·         Appendix D – Aerial 3D view

·         Appendix E – Tenant schedule

·         Appendix F – Public realm phasing plan

·         Appendix G - Gateway 4 report containing

o   GA RIBA plan of work

o   GB Proposed contract document control sheet

o   GC Contractor proposals

o   GD Master programme

o   GE Risk and opportunities register

o   GF summary market tested cost plan

o   GG CMW cladding benchmarking report

o   GH change control log

·         Appendix H – Chorley parking options appraisal

In presenting the report, Councillor Bradley reminded Members that at this stage, the content of the report remained confidential. A number of briefings/drop in sessions had been arranged to give all Councillors the opportunity to fully understand the proposals. He summarised the background and history to the project; the objectives of the scheme and the wider context of the town centre masterplan; the current position in relation to commitments from retailers; and previous discussions about the level of pre-lets. He also looked at the financial implications of the scheme including funding sources and the risks involved in both progressing and not progressing. A decision was now required for the Council to achieve completion of the Market Walk Extension by December 2018.

Councillor Peter Wilson, Executive Member for Resources stressed the need to revitalise the town centre and urged all councillors to look at the wider picture and the creation of the Civic Square and public realm improvements as well as the retail addition through the Market Walk Extension.

Councillor Morgan asked about the position on the full sign up to the scheme by key retailers. The Leader stressed the criteria that would be adopted before the Council would go ahead. A number of retailers who had previously withdrawn their interest were now coming back to negotiate and the position looked very optimistic,  however  sign up by the major retailer in question was required for the scheme to progress and this was clear from the recommendations Members were being asked to approve. 

Councillor Paul Leadbetter referred to the proposed 50% occupancy sign up and the risks it posed. He also referred to the risk in relation to the Council’s investment and whether the rate of return was an acceptable one. In response, Councillor Wilson referred to the risk of buying Market Walk originally and the financial benefits that had brought, with now full occupancy levels. He also stressed the need to look to the future and ensure the development of the town centre and this included the public realm work.

Councillor John Walker expressed concern that money was being spent in the town centre that could help resolve issues elsewhere in the borough, in particular he referred to parking problems on Buckshaw. The Leader stated that the Council was looking into solutions to this issue and potentially S106 funding would be used to address this problem which was infrastructure related.

Councillor Martin Boardman referred to the proposals in the report as a merging of both the Market Walk Extension and the town centre public realm works, not as the standalone schemes originally intended. There was an opportunity to pause and consider whether the proposed works should go ahead at this stage. Potentially they represented a risk too far, with a cost to the Council of business rates on any empty units; doubt as to whether overage and CIL money would be received as expected; risks around potential extra costs from the contractor; and an impact on independent retailers in the town. Overall it was not clear what the full cost of the work would be to the Borough and its residents.

In response, the Executive Leader and Councillor Peter Wilson both commented on the need to make a decision to let the contract, so that materials could be ordered, the build could commence and the extension opened for Christmas 2018. CIL money was likely to be received and the report contained detailed financial information on both costs and funding sources. There were risks but these would be managed and mitigations put in place. Most town centre traders were supportive of the proposals and the attraction of new businesses. The borough has a growing population with a good income level. The proposals were clear, Table 2 in the report summarised the costs and the public would get national retailers; more car parking; a cinema and a civic space, plus the creation of an evening economy.

Councillor Bell expressed concerns at the loss of the Flat Iron car park and its impact in a small market town which could not compete with major out of town retail parks.

Councillor Cullens referred to concerns raised previously, about the use of the LRPP framework and asked that Overview and Scrutiny Committee investigate its use. He referred to the success of the relocation of the market and the need to enhance and support independent traders. He suggested the proposals should be paused to allow more pre-lets to be signed up and to consider the likely impact of other retail development proposals at Cuerden and Botany Bay. He referred to the need to mitigate risks and that if timescales required, a Special Council meeting could be arranged.

Councillor Bradley referred to the success of the market relocation, the alleviation of car parking issues and the fact that Chorley was bucking the national trend with fewer vacant premises and a high footfall on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The future was optimistic with a better retail and evening offer, he felt it unlikely that the opposition would agree to the proposals even if delayed. He requested a recorded vote on the recommendations contained in the report.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Leader proposed and Councillor Peter Wilson, Executive Member for Resources, seconded and on being put to the vote, the recommendations were APPROVED with the votes being recorded as follows:

FOR Councillors A Beaver, A Bradley, C Bromilow, T Brown, J Cronshaw, G Dunn, G France, M France, A Gee, D Gee, T Gray, M Jarnell, H Khan, Z Khan, M Lees, R Lees, A Lowe, M Lowe, M Lynch, J Molyneaux, A Morwood, S Murfitt, B Murray, J Snape, K Snape, R Snape, P Walmsley, A Whittaker and P Wilson.

AGAINST Councillors E Bell, M Boardman, H Caunce, A Cullens, J Dalton, D Dickinson, P Leadbetter, S Long, G Morgan, M Muncaster and J Walker.

ABSTAIN The Mayor, Councillor Mark Perks.