Agenda item

Report DRR14/042

Members considered the progress achieved in delivering the Town Centres Development Programme.

The following updates were given:-

Site A: Bromley North (page 109) - Members were informed that a scheduled officer meeting with TfL had been cancelled and would need to be rearranged.  Once the results were to hand, these would be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee.  The Portfolio Holder clarified that this related to options for the DLR.

Site C: Town Hall (page 110)- With regard to the planning application to develop a hotel and conference centre at the site, the Head of Renewal would request that Cathedral Group provide a revised timetable and an artistic impression of the proposed development which would be submitted to the next R&R PDS meeting.

Site G: West of High Street (page 110) - An alternative scheme design option was being developed and would be submitted to a future meeting for consideration.

Site L: Former DHSS (page 112) - Councillor Michael commented that this location was totally unsuitable as a school site.  As this site was included in the Area Action Plan, Councillor Michael wondered if the Council had any recourse by applying for a judicial review.  Councillor Benington stated that the school had been approved by the Secretary of State and it was expected to open some time in September 2014.  The school would be a privately-run business and whilst Councillor Benington had no problem with the school itself, this was an inappropriate location for it.  He agreed with Councillor Michael’s suggestion concerning the option for a judicial review and requested that a formal report on taking such steps be provided by the Director of Corporate Services.

Bromley North Village

A traders’ meeting had been held on 25 March 2014 where discussion took place on the re-routing of buses and the relocation of bus stops in the Bromley North area.  The newly established scheme would be monitored for any adverse impacts on customers or traders.

Orpington Town Centre (page 113) - The Head of Renewal agreed to circulate the pre-application letter to Members for their information.  Unfortunately this letter is not a public document at this stage.  Further details on the scheme content would therefore be updated to the next meeting of the R&R PDS Committee.

Beckenham

Councillor Tickner commented that at the last Beckenham Town Centre Working Group meeting, there had been nothing to report since the previous meeting held six weeks before.  As the Working Group was set up to drive things forward, he required evidence that work had been carried out.  The Head of Renewal responded by informing Members that although at times there may be nothing specific to report, work was continually progressing.

Representatives from consultants involved would be attending the next meeting of the Working Group and feedback of this meeting would be reported to Members of the Committee in June 2014.

West Wickham (page 115) - An update on consultations for possible improvements to the town centre would be obtained and circulated to Members.

As the Council did not install heritage lighting in any area of the Borough, Councillor Benington suggested that it could be possible to install the heritage lighting if residents were willing to pay the costs themselves.  It was agreed that a report concerning this and setting out costs for replacements be submitted to a future meeting of the Environment PDS.

With regard to the map on page 117, the Head of Renewal confirmed that all works were on target and those taking place in Phase 5c - High Street were expected to be completed by 6 July 2014.

RESOLVED that the progress on the delivery of the town Centres Development Programme be noted.