Decision Maker: Council

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: July 10, 2025

Purpose:

Content: RESOLVED: That Council:   (1)   Supported and endorsed the Churchgate Project Board recommendation to discount Option 4 due to it not being financially viable and undertake further work to develop a proposal based upon ‘Option 3’, which includes by default, Options 1 and 2.   (2)   Supported and endorsed the five ‘Development Principles’ that are set out in paragraph 8.5.   (3)   Members approved additional funding for a specialist Project Manager of £120k as set out at 8.13, as this was not identified as part of the 25/26 budget setting process.   REASON FOR DECISIONS: Using the knowledge collated from the public consultation and the technical due diligence carried out by Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH), there are various ways that the site (also known as the Churchgate Regeneration Zone) could be developed. However, for the Council to move forward it is important that the various options are narrowed down according to feasibility. This recommendation allows the Council to proceed with the option that is more likely to succeed based on the evidence.