Agenda item

Bromley Town Ward

Report DRR17/005

Members considered the options outlined for the relocation and reorganisation of Bromley Market, its future format and funding for the proposed scheme, including additional temporary staffing resources to manage the market transition project.

The Head of Renewal gave a presentation to Members which included information on the following:-

·  The Design Concept of 2014;

·  Stage 1 – Consultation and Site Analysis Report and the establishment of design principles;

·  The design development of six character areas;

·  Stage 2 – Developed Design concepts;

·  Stage 3 – Developed Design concepts – further design changes including modular examples of Market Square kiosks and relocation of the market; modular examples of street furniture and the paving pattern for Market Street;

·  Churchill Square and the High Street Garden including visual examples of planters, lighting and integrated seating;

·  CGIs of pop-up kiosks and the High Street Garden; and

·  Bromley Town Centre Scheme costs.

A full copy of this presentation is attached as Annex A to these Minutes.

With regard to Churchill Gardens (Opportunity Site G within Bromley’s Area Action Plan), Members were advised that the Units 102-106 High Street (Halifax Building Society and ‘The Works’ retail shop) are included in the next phase of redevelopment of Opportunity Site G.  It was a key design objetive to improve the link between the High Street and the Church House Gardens.  The rest of the next phase of Opportunity Site G would be developed behind the High Street.

Upgraded water and electricity points would be installed for the proposed Market Square kiosks.  Each modular unit would have openings on three sides and would stand back-to-back against each other.  The detailed design of the kiosks would be brought back for Member consideration following consultation with potential tenants, future market operators and other stakeholders.  The modular style of kiosk selected would allow a variety of finishes to be applied subject to operators and design preferences.  It was anticipated that larger spaces would be allocated between stalls as opposed to the way they were currently set out.

Powerpoints would be installed at the new multi-purpose events space in Churchill Square and could also be linked to the enhanced public square proposed as part of the next phase of development on Site G (Churchill Gardens).

Subject to Council approval, Phase 1 of the improvement works  would be implemented from July 2017 until November 2017.  The extent of the works completed in the first phase would be subject to the requirement to close down works for the Christmas trading period in November. The work programme envisaged this would be down as far as the Marks & Spencer frontage. The next Phase  would  then take place from January 2018 until November 2018 during which time the market would be relocated..

In regard to the proposed enhanced cleaning and maintenance work, it was reported that a further four hours cleaning would be undertaken each day in addition to the regular cleaning schedule; this would include the Bromley North Village area.  Members were advised that the specialist equipment referred to in Option 2 (page 20) would not be capable of removing chewing gum.  The Head of Renewal agreed to look into the possibility of purchasing an alternative machine to accomplish both high quality cleaning and the removal of gum. 

There was strong public support for ‘greening-up’ the High Street.  Planters were designed with integrated seating which had a potential life span of 25-years.  The largest planter would measure approximately 9.7 metres in width and the minimum distance between the trunk of any planted tree and its canopy would be at least 2m so as not to obstruct the view looking up towards Market Square.

Whilst Members welcomed the establishment of the High Street Garden, there was concern that young trees may be damaged or vandalised.  The Head of Renewal confirmed that semi-mature robust trees would be planted and the protection of these trees would be discussed with the responsible contractor.  Watering and maintenance was also a concern raised by Members.  It was reported that officers had worked with landscape and maintenance company ‘idverde’ who had advised on the appropriate depth of the planters and the species of tree to be planted.  The contractor/installer would take full responsibility during the first year for all maintenance and watering. In addition a supplementary annual maintenance schedule has been costed  and included as part of the revenue growth item.

Development of the commercial units would take place during the second phase of the scheme.  It was confirmed that these would not be placed directly outside any shops belonging to The Glades shopping centre.

Having looked at the four options available, Members were divided in their preferred choice of kiosk design and were informed that adaptations concerning style, material and colour could be made.  Further discussions concerning the kiosks would take place and be reported for consideration in July.

In regard to recommendations 4.1 and 4.2 of the report, Members agreed to defer making a decision on the allocation of £720k of the total £3.564m Growth Fund monies requested until the outcome of the detailed design and final costs for the market kiosks become available in July. 

Members were advised that no in-house resources were available to provide the necessary co-ordination for the transition of the market to the proposed new format.  The assessment of options for generating profit would need to be undertaken so it was important that an appropriate project officer was employed for a temporary period of 12 months to provide the necessary work.

Referring to recommendation 2.3, The Head of Renewal reported that the first tranche of S106 payments from the Langley Park development, covering affordable homes, had been invoiced to the developer as development was considered to have commenced.  Future payments of £4m for economic initiatives to cover the loss of employment space will be time linked to the commencement of development, with the first payment of £2m due in two years.

The first two sentences of paragraph 5.11 were amended to read:- ‘Members are asked to note that both the market kiosks and the larger commercial units would be rateable and therefore additional Business Rates of around £10k per annum would be payable on these, based on the Kingston Market.  These costs would be recovered from the kiosk occupants or paid directly by occupiers.

Members were informed that further work was needed around the shaping and context of the proposed market relocation, together with appropriate legislation and this was something the Bromley BID would be consulted upon.  Officers would also work with BID Members to minimise any disruption between Marks & Spencer and Elmfield Square during the work period July to November 2017.  Members of the BID were in attendance at the meeting and reported no negative feedback on the proposals so far. 

In regard to the future operation of the market, Members supported the preferred option (c) (paragraphs 3.17 to 3.22) and were advised that once established, new management arrangements for the market would be sought and would include consultations with the Bromley BID.

It had come to Councillor Benington’s attention that there were proposals to erect a number of 3m x 1.7m electronic advertising boards in the area and he put forward a motion that the Executive be recommended to reconsider and review this proposal in 2019 when all the scheduled work had been completed.  This motion was seconded by Councillor Tickner.  Members considered that erecting advertising boards along the High Street, north of Elmfield Road and on Market Square, would have a negative effect on the town centre, especially since the Council had invested in improving the visual impact of the area.  They therefore expressed opposition to the proposals.

RESOLVED that Members of the Executive be recommended to:-

1)  approve the Detailed Design and programme for the Bromley Town Centre Public Realm Improvement Scheme, comprising the ground plane works extending from Market Square to the Elmfield Road junction costed at £2.844m;

2)  agree that a total of £2.844m be allocated from the Growth Fund and added to the Capital Programme to undertake the implementation of the scheme, subject to Full Council approval. 

3)  agree that a decision to allocate £720k from the Growth Fund to the Capital Programme be deferred until the outcome of the detailed design and final costs for the market kiosks are submitted for approval in July 2017;

4)  agree that should the S106 funding of £4m be received from the Langley Court development, the scheme be funded by these monies and the total cost of £3.564m be returned to the Growth Fund;

5)  approve annual growth of up to £60k to cover the enhanced cleaning and maintenance costs from April 2018, subject to the level of income generated from the commercial kiosks;

6)  review the options for the future operation of the market set out in paragraph 3.15 and agree the preferred option (c), to approve the relocation, reorganisation and relaunch of Bromley Town Centre market as outlined in paragraphs 3.17 to 3.22;

7)  approve the taking of all necessary steps to relicense the market and street trading arrangements under the Food Act as recommended in paragraph 3.21 and Section 7;

8)  approve the allocation of £40k from the Growth Fund to meet the cost of employing a temporary project officer for a period of 12 months to provide the necessary co-ordination for the transition of the market to the proposed new format; and

9)  plans to install a number of 3m x 1.7m electronic advertising boards be reconsidered and reviewed in 2019 when the High Street and Market Square reorganisation is complete.