Issue - items at meetings - Kings Quarter Update

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy noting the progress made for the new Kings Quarter regeneration proposals and seeking Members to approve revised fees for the planning application.

Please note that Appendix B is exempt from disclosure to the press and public by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person including the authority holding that information). If Members wish to discuss Appendix B the Cabinet will need to resolve to exclude the press and public before

doing so.

RESOLVED that:

(1) the revised fee for the Planning Team appointment budget be approved. Please see Appendix B for the financial information.

(2) the costs associated with the completion of a Planning Performance Agreement (PPA) and the planning submission fees are agreed as set out in Appendix B.

RESOLVED it is NOTED thatthe progress made with the Kings Quarter regeneration, and in particular:

(1) the latest plans to attract funding to take forward the creation of a major new ‘Creative Cluster’ within the refurbished Kings House together with a food court on the ground floor.

(2) the new bus station construction is progressing well and is on programme to complete on 5^th October 2018. Following a period of testing there will be a Public Open day on Saturday 27^th October and bus services commence from Sunday 28^th October.

(3) The future potential cost implications of the enabling phase of Kings Quarter Regeneration. These actions will take the project forward into delivery. These are described in more detail in Section 3 and listed in Appendix B.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy that sought Members to note the progress made for the new Kings Quarter regeneration proposals and to approve revised fees for the planning application.

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy summarised the report and commented that the bold decision to take this major scheme of investment back under Council control had been the right one as it enabled consultations and changing conditions to be responded to. He gave examples such as the shift away from a retail led scheme to a mixed use, development of a `Creative Hub’ at Kings House and the recognition of Kings Square as a flexible public open space. He advised Members that work was expected to begin on site next year and took the opportunity to encourage the public to engage with the forthcoming consultation exercises.

The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure expressed pleasure that culture had such a prominent role within the scheme given its power to transform people’s lives. The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy placed Kings Quarter in the context of other regeneration schemes such as at the Quays and highlighted the importance of keeping the city centre thriving as the heart of Gloucester.