Purpose

The Constitution authorises Officers to make
decisions within the scope of their responsibilities, unless it is
required to be made by a Portfolio Holder or Cabinet.
 
The Chief Operating Officer has exercised her
delegated authority to proceed with the submission of the planning
permission application for the Rougham Hill site redevelopment.

Decision

The Chief Operating Officer has agreed to
proceed with the submission of the planning application to the
Local Planning Authority.

Reasons for the decision

The design to RIBA stage 3 has
been completed and is at a stage where an application can be
submitted to the Local Planning Authority.
 
An informal planning consultation was held
from 26 March to 16 April. That feedback has now been used to
inform and refine our planning application for the site.
 
The Council received 102 responses with 58 of
those in favour of the suggested scheme. Some of those in favour,
as well as those against, raised concerns about traffic and as part
of the planning application process Suffolk County Council highways
will be consulted to advise on any measures that need to be
included.
 
Public feedback also suggested alternative
tenants or uses should be explored instead. Many of these had
not come forward when the site was openly marketed, and choices of
tenants are not in the council’s power to deliver, plus
alternatives have not emerged through the regular conversations
that West Suffolk Council has with other public sector
partners.
 
The decision has considered the original
business case to

Council on Tuesday 27 September 2022
(Item 250 refers) and a further detailed business case agreed at

Cabinet on Tuesday 6 December 2022 (Item
430 refers).
 

Alternative options considered

The Council has the option of selling the land
as part of an exit strategy and achieving planning permission will
add value to that asset. However, if sold the opportunity to
generate long term revenue to pay for public services would be lost
and significant abortive costs would be incurred.