Meeting documents

3.1 The SRB Scheme is a six year regeneration programme running from 1997/98 financial year until the end of the current year, 2002/2003. The Scheme covers the Norton Radstock urban area and is in receipt of £2.944million in SRB grant funding. This is just under half the £6million sought when the Scheme was submitted through a competitive bidding process in 1996.

3.2 Initially the SRB Scheme was dominated by three large capital projects (the Radstock Site, Welton Vale and Council House Repairs) and the main outputs were to be those related to physical development; new business floorspace, housing, road infrastructure and related employment creation. In addition to physical development, there was also a limited number of education and community projects aimed at improving local skills, supporting families and enhancing personal development for young people.

3.3 Following extensive community participation and in response to changing circumstances, the Scheme has been significantly re-defined. The participation exercises identified improvement of 'community infrastructure' (sport, leisure, arts etc provision) as a key priority. Also, in response to the results of community participation, the Welton Vale greenfield development was dropped from the Scheme, whilst the justification for SRB funding for the Council House Repairs project was removed by transfer of the Council's Housing stock. These changes freed up funding which has enabled development of a much broader range of projects reflecting priorities identified by the community. The key outcomes for the revised Scheme are improved town centres, tourism development, enhanced skills and training provision, support and development for young people, families and community activity, improved community safety and improved facilities and opportunities for sports, arts and recreational activities. Whilst the SRB Scheme cannot fully meet all these needs, substantial progress has been made and the Scheme will leave a significant legacy of improvement to be built upon through continued community regeneration in the area. A schedule of SRB projects is attached as Appendix 1.

3.4 Within the SRB Scheme, redevelopment of the Radstock Site is by far the largest project and it remains a top priority. Community participation has established a 'Vision for Radstock' with development and enhancement of the Radstock Site as its key component. Through the project development process it became clear that the mix of uses and level of quality sought by the community and necessary to underpin long term regeneration, would not be achieved through a conventional development approach. Control of the land was identified as the key requirement and catalyst for attracting funding and developing partnerships as the basis for delivering a high quality, sustainable and innovative mixed used town centre regeneration project.

3.5 To enable delivery of the project, the Norton Radstock Regeneration Company (NRR) has been established as a not for profit company with the ability to recycle any financial surpluses generated, back into local regeneration. The company has two categories of unpaid directors, those representing stakeholders and those bringing special skills. There is considerable overlap between the categories with stakeholder members also having special skills and some specially skilled members also being local stakeholders.

3.6 Because the main part of the site was in the ownership of the British Railways Board, purchase of the land was subject to lengthy Government procedures that took two years to complete. In February 2001 the former landowners agreed to sell to NRR. subject to a six week completion period. This deadline was complied with and the land is now in the freehold ownership of NRR. The land purchase, inclusive of fees and duties, plus the costs of site security and management was financed through SRB funding of £788,400 and Council capital funding of £207,200 plus disposal of the Council's landholding within the site for nil consideration.

3.7 Since acquisition The Norton Radstock Regeneration Company's activities can be summarised under five key work areas;

Provision of public footpaths across and through the site.

Provision of safety fencing.

Clean up of debris from the site.

Securing unsafe buildings.

Renovation of advertising hoarding.

Clarified status of footpaths and are undertaking agreements to formalise.

Negotiated existing outline planning application and then deciding to terminate discussions in favour of a new application.

Set out the Company position for the Local Plan first deposit.

Objected to Streetly Developments planning application for a superstore submitted on the Company land.

Gained Conservation Area Approval for demolition of buildings and structures on the site.

Agreed an approach to developing the site.

Developed a strategic development framework for Radstock centre and the site.

Agreed and developed methodology for re-engaging with the local community in the development process.

Sought necessary funding for the development process.

Undertaken ecological survey and mitigation assessment work.

Commissioned survey of trees and culverts on the site.

Developed a brief for masterplanners to be engaged in future stages.

Strengthend links with key partners, e.g. SWRDA, B&NES Council, SUSTRANS etc.

Developed a five year business plan.

Developed a mission statement and set of objectives.

Set up financial management monitoring systems.

Recruited and trained three new Directors.

Appointed a community relations and communications consultant.

Undertaken perception research.

Developed a communications strategy.

Agreed a budget.

Set up effective meeting and reporting structures.