Agenda item

The Chairman invited Paul Scott (Consultant Public Health) and Louise Davidson (Team Manager - Enabling & Development) to give a presentation.

The following points were highlighted in the presentation:

• Why housing is important to health and wellbeing
• Foxhill Housing Zone
• The Vision for Regeneration
• Consultation and collaboration
• Housing Zone Designation
• Mulberry Park and Phase 1 approved plan
• Regeneration of the Foxhill estate
• Foxhill Regeneration & Development Charter
• Mulberry Park and Foxhill Estate Regeneration -  Next few months
• Health & Sustainability Opportunities
• Issues

A full copy of the presentation is attached to these minutes.

Councillor Bob Goodman (Combe Down Ward) supported the project and thanked the officers for their presentation.  Councillor Goodman added that the project had been brought back to the limelight by the current administration.  Curo and the Council had had a number of workshops which engaged Foxhill community.  Councillor Goodman concluded that Foxhill regeneration should continue to evolve.

The Chairman said that this would be an opportunity for the Board to set a standard on involvement of the Board, and also other health bodies, in future developments in B&NES.

Councillor Tim Warren praised joint work between the Council, Curo and Foxhill community in this project and highlighted the part of the Foxhill residents association.

Diana Hall Hall asked how those who were opposing the project could put their views forward.

Louise Davidson replied that people could object through planning process.  Curo, as the developer, would have to balance the views of the community.  Curo had set a vision in 2013 and now they had created a plan which had incorporated views of different groups and community.

Bruce Laurence said that this shows the real benefit of bringing Public Health within the Council and getting the team engaged in this development.  The Board should be presented with clear indicators on what the development should achieve.  The Board should also show clear leadership from health perspective.

Morgan Daly said that he would be prepared to talk, on behalf of the Board, with health advisory groups on this matter and monitor progress of the development and impact that would make on health infrastructure.

John Holden asked why Curo should be trusted when the report had indicated that their current social housing stock in Foxhill had been in poor condition and had required redevelopment.  John Holden also commented that health need for around 1,300 housing units had been mentioned briefly and that some other issues, such as traffic via Bradford Road, would also need to be considered.  John Holden expressed his concerns that profits from Mulberry Park development would be used to support Foxhill estate.  John Holden concluded by showing his full support to involvement of the Public Health and that the Board should continue to be engaged in this project.

Louise Davidson replied that current housing stock had been built under building regulations some time ago, and now those regulations had expired.  The affordable housing would have to meet latest standards and it would have to be built under particular building requirements. 

Tracey Cox said that the CCG would do whatever is required to support the development.

The Board agreed with the Chairman for an update at one of Board’s future meetings.

It was RESOLVED to:

1)  Note the presentation and report;

2)  Request from officers to take on board issues raised in the debate; and

3)  Receive further update at one of future meetings.