Purpose

To seek approval to establish a £200,000 budget funded by a contribution from the NNDR Pool Reserve to undertake a masterplan for Arnold town centre and associated feasibility works.

Decision

Approve the establishment of a £200,000 budget from a contribution from the NNDR Pool Reserve to support the development of a town centre regeneration masterplan and feasibility works in Arnold.

Reasons for the decision

To support its regeneration ambitions the Council is looking to commission works to ensure that a scheme is developed that is economically and commercially viable and deliverable subject to funding being identified. The Council recognises that a strategic plan for the Arnold town centre can provide a framework for future development and leveraging funding and investment.

Alternative options considered

The Council has the option not to proceed with the commissioning of an Arnold town centre strategic masterplan and associated feasibility works. Such a decision would weaken the Council’s ability to submit a coherent and viable funding application and attract investment in a coordinated manner to the town. The Council would also limit its influence to address the long-term decline of the north of town by developing a masterplan to underpin future development.