Issue - meetings

In October 2012, the Cabinet agreed for the Chief Property Officer to produce a full viability appraisal and options report for the unique opportunity to develop the Grand Parade & Undercroft in the World Heritage City of Bath.  This Cabinet Report demonstrates the viability and sets out recommendations for phased delivery of the project.

Caroline Kay (Chief Exec, Bath Preservation Trust) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 7 and on the Council’s website] said that the Trust felt that the plans were a potentially exciting step in bringing the Undercroft back into use but reserved judgement on the soundness of the business case because there was not yet enough information available.

Anne Robins (The Empire Owners Association) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 8 and on the Council’s website] said that some development would be welcomed, but there had been no information about phases 2-4 of the plans.  She felt that loss of parking should have been listed as an issue, not as an objective in the report.  She warned Cabinet that the Empire Owners would strongly object to any night club or casino proposals.

Alex Schlesinger (Secretary of Small Business Focus) in an ad hoc statement [a copy of which is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 9 and on the Council’s website] stressed that the report had left many questions unanswered.  He explained these in detail and expressed a number of concerns felt by the Guildhall Market Traders.

Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones in an ad hoc statement supported the project which he said would bring benefits to the area and would be attractive.  He asked if it would be possible to have a day-time visualisation of the changes, in addition to the evening one in the report.  He had been encouraged by the assurances recently given to the Market traders by the Leader of the Council but asked that Cabinet would protect the stall holders’ rents from being increased unfairly until the projected increase in footfall had been demonstrated.  He asked Councillor David Bellotti to put at rest the minds of the Market traders by sending them the comfort letter he had promised.  Finally, he asked the Cabinet to develop a strategy for markets throughout the authority’s area.

Councillor David Laming in an ad hoc statement asked that the River Regeneration Trust should be involved at an early stage because of the proximity of the river which he felt should be exploited.

Councillor David Bellotti introduced the item by saying that this was one of the most exciting projects for a number of years.  The area in question had been neglected for too long.  This was an opportunity to restore part of the history of Bath and to benefit the local economy.  If adopted, this would be a legacy project with long-term benefits for future generations.  He warned Cabinet however not to underestimate the challenges.  He had been delighted that already over 15 positive responses had been received from businesses.

Councillor Bellotti assured the Cabinet that Council money would not be risked without having sufficient pre-lets in place to secure confidence in the project.  He anticipated that phase 1 would produce a surplus which would be used elsewhere.  He referred to the next phase, Market development and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 204