Agenda item

The Panel have invited representatives from Taylor Wimpey to give them a current overview presentation of the Somerdale project.

Adrian Slade, Project Director, Taylor Wimpey gave a presentation to the Panel. A copy of the presentation will be available online as an appendix to the minutes and placed on the Panel’s Minute Book, a summary is set out below.

Key Milestones

·  January 2012 - Taylor Wimpey selected by Kraft as preferred developer

·  January 2012 – April 2013 - Taylor Wimpey commenced work on planning application in conjunction with landowner and local authority, comprehensive community engagement and technical studies eg archaeology.

·  April 2013 – Hybrid Planning application with Environmental Impact Assessment submitted to BANES

·  September 2013 – Planning committee unanimous resolution to grant planning permission

·  February 2014 – S106 signed and planning permission issued

·  April 2014 – Work started on site delivering new homes and infrastructure

·  September 2014 – Sales outlet opens

·  November 2014 – First new residents move in

Current Progress – Phase 1

·  Phase 1 consists of 154 new homes – mix 2,3,4 and 5 bedroomed homes.

·  Affordable Housing – 43 new 2,3 and 4 bedroomed homes.

·  New homes sold – 30

·  New homes occupied – 17

·  New homes under construction for 2015 – 46

Economic & Community Benefits

The economic and community benefits of the redevelopment at Somerdale are significant. The construction of 700 new homes, 120,000sqft of employment space, new primary school, sports and conference facility and associated infrastructure offers an opportunity to stimulate the economic growth both locally and regionally. It also assists in meeting housing needs.

Construction Impacts

·  direct employment – 1,277 person years of construction employment  over the 10 years period of build or 128 per annum

·  Indirect employment – 123 spin off jobs in the supply chain/local  community per annum

·  Economic output - £88m through goods and services over the build period

Expenditure Impacts

·  £12m pa spent local shops and services during build

·  £33m by residents of the scheme per annum

Operational impacts

·  1,068 direct new job opportunities

·  £97m economic output per annum

·  73 new jobs created in the local market through indirect employment

Local authority revenue Impacts

·  £6.5m New Homes Bonus Payments

·  £1.1m additional council tax per annum

·  £0.7m new business rate revenue per annum

·  £7m S106 and other planning contributions

Next Steps

·  New Fry Club opens in June

·  Next phase of development to be submitted for reserved matters

·  Change of use of existing care home site to provide additional 30 new homes – 11th March planning committee

·  Procurement of new primary school

Councillor Gerry Curran commented that it shows what can be done with a site of such scale and said it was pleasing to think that possibly 60 residents could be on site by the end of the year.

The Chair commented that she was impressed with how the scheme had developed. She asked what the plans were for the large iron gates that used to be the entrance for the site.

Adrian Slade said that they were being retained on site.

The Chair suggested that if the Development Control Committee take part in annual tour that they visit the site as part of it.

Councillor Gerry Curran agreed with that proposal. He asked if the changing facilities near the tennis courts were to be improved.

Adrian Slade replied that as part of the New Fry Club 14 new changing facilities were being built and that they would be available for those playing tennis to use.

The Chair, on behalf of the Panel thanked him for his presentation.