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RESOLVED:
 

·      
Endorsed the Greyfriars Vision and Framework which
set out the principles and approach that will be taken to deliver
the high-quality mixed-use development.

·      
Approved the recommended delivery approach for
Greyfriars set out in this report to deliver Greyfriars in
partnership with the English Cities Fund.

·      
Authorised the Director of Communities and
Opportunities to proceed with the appointment of the English Cities
Fund for the Stage 1 Pre-Development Services Agreement.

·      
Noted that a further report in due course will be
presented to them with the proposals and business case for the
authority to progress with the scheme.
 
REASONS RESOLVED:
 
1.    
The proposed decision will allow the regeneration of
a site that has been derelict for a decade.
2.    
Greyfriars is a strategic brownfield regeneration
opportunity that aligns with the West Northamptonshire
Council’s Corporate Plan objectives. The Greyfriars Framework
aligns with all six of the priority areas within the
Council’s Corporate Plan:

·      
Green and Clean – Greyfriars is utilising
brownfield land that supports sustainable development by investing
in new green spaces to support the council's ambition to become net
zero by 2030.

·      
Improved Life Chances – Greyfriars will
introduce new facilities for wellbeing with new green spaces,
indoor and outdoor event spaces and creative hubs.

·      
Connected Communities – through the
development of the Greyfriars sites, it will create an
intergenerational neighbourhood with spaces for new communities to
come together.

·      
Thriving Villages and Towns – Greyfriars will
create a sense of pride within the town with vibrant regeneration
allowing people to live, work and play.

·      
Economic Development – Greyfriars will
stimulate economic growth for local people with new businesses,
employment opportunities and a boost to local commerce.

·      
Robust Resource Management – Through working
to secure a partnership with the English Cities Fund it allows for
grant funding to be leveraged through open and transparent
governance.
3.    
The Council has considered a range of options for
the delivery of Greyfriars and it is the view that the optimal
delivery route for the Council to meet its objectives for the
regeneration of Greyfriars is via a partnership with the ECF. ECF
are in a unique position of having the partnership backed by Homes
England and Government and have a demonstrable track record of
delivering large scale regeneration projects of the scale and
nature of Greyfriars as well as unlocking significant public sector
funding.
 
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:
 
1.    
Cabinet could choose to all together not bring the
sites forward for regeneration which would result them in remaining
derelict and severed off from the town centre. This would
contribute to the decline of the town centre and result in a missed
opportunity for investment, meaning that the vision for high
quality homes, open green space and park space and new leisure and
cultural facilities would not be delivered.
2.    
Cabinet could choose not to follow the recommended
delivery route and dispose of the sites at Greyfriars on the
market. This option means that the Council will have very limited
control and influence over what comes forward and it is likely that
Greyfriars will continue to be derelict contributing to the decline
of the town centre given the significant viability challenges.
While the disposal of the sites could produce a capital receipt it
is likely to be a low figure due the abnormal costs involved as
well as the uses that would be proposed likely to not be acceptable
to the Council. Also, the regeneration of Northampton town centre
needs to be done in a comprehensive and holistic approach in order
to meet the aims and needs of the local communities.
3.    
Cabinet could also choose to proceed with the
process but to opt for a competitive procedure to appoint a
preferred development partner. The ECF do not competitively bid for
projects as they form long term strategic relationships in places.
To follow a competitive process would mean that the ECF opportunity
would be missed, and it would also add additional time and
costs.