Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: October 8, 2024

Purpose:

Content: 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.