Decision details

To agree the Ecology Mitigation Programme prior to Radstock Regeneration

(1) To AGREE that the Council will work in partnership with Norton Radstock Regeneration Company and its development partner Linden Homes Ltd to undertake the responsibility to deliver the Ecological Mitigation, Compensation and Management Plan for the former Great Western Railway lands to support the delivery of new highway, homes and jobs in Radstock; and

(2) To ALLOCATE up to £400k of the existing capital budget for the capital costs of the Ecological Mitigation, Compensation and Management Plan with future revenue costs met from associated savings in corporate borrowing costs.

The Council is committed to delivering the regeneration of the former railway land at Radstock and the preservation of the ecological value of the site.  There is funding available within the approved capital programme.  The Council is in a position to ensure the delivery of the 20 year mitigation plan.  The scheme will deliver 190 new homes for Radstock which will generate £1.4m of New Homes Bonus which will be used to protect front line services.

Linden Homes to set up management company to deliver the Ecological Mitigation, Compensation and Management Plan.  There is a risk that a company such as this would not have the expertise or longevity to deliver the actions set out in the plan.