The Member Major Projects Board is scheduled to meet to review project highlight reports, financial summaries, and other major project updates. The board will be looking at key strategic projects such as the West Winch Growth Area, the Sustainable Transport and Regeneration Scheme (STARS), and housing developments. The meeting will also cover financial performance and future project planning.

West Winch Growth Area

The board is scheduled to discuss the West Winch Growth Area, a project designed to facilitate the delivery of up to 4,000 homes and associated infrastructure.

The report pack states that the project areas led by the council are programmed to be completed by the end of quarter three of the 2025/2026 financial year. Project costs are being verified, and the report pack says that more funding sources are needing to be identified.

The report pack notes delays in agreeing to a collaboration agreement, but that additional resources have been brought in to accelerate the process.

The Constitution Hill planning application has been granted consent for up to 1,100 homes, with all Section 106 agreements signed, securing planning obligations and land for the road.

Southgates Area - Sustainable Transport and Regeneration Scheme (STARS)

The report pack states that the Southgates area Sustainable Transport and Regeneration Scheme (STARS) overall RAG rating is red.

The report pack says that the Department for Transport and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government have confirmed that inflationary increases to the scheme cost should be addressed by de-scoping the scheme. De-scoping to deliver the Southgates element only is not an option, as the economic case would have a poor value for money.

The report pack states that Norfolk County Council cabinet has agreed to pursue a revised scheme based on the town centre gyratory one-way system element from the original scheme, but adding additional active travel elements and the Borough Council's Baxter's Plain public realm scheme developed by Building Design Partnership (BDP).¹ The Department for Transport has yet to agree that it would be permissible to add additional elements to the scheme.

Housing Projects

The board is scheduled to discuss several major housing projects:

Florence Fields (Parkway)

The report pack states that the overall status of the Florence Fields (Parkway) project is currently amber due to site progression, completion of works to the wet well, suitable resources, and slower than expected sales pace with three completed sales and five plots reserved.

Drainage is complete, and significant progress has been made in phases one and two, with first fix, roofing, plastering, and substructures progressing well. Phases three to five are also progressing. A newsletter was issued to over 900 households in the area, and early planning for the next Creating Communities event has started.

Southend Road, Hunstanton

The report pack states that the overall status of the Southend Road project in Hunstanton is currently amber. Site works are nearing completion, with final completion expected by 19 July 2025. The Homes England completion target of 31 March 2025 has been successfully reached. External snagging needs to be finalised, and a delegated member decision was made to remove restrictions on sale.

Lynnsport 1 (Valentine Park)

The report pack states that the overall status of the Lynnsport 1 (Valentine Park) project is currently RAG rated green. While some risks have increased, they are yet to be realised and have suitable mitigation in place. The programme remains within tolerance, with a small delay expected to be recovered due to ground conditions and subcontractor attendance.

The link road between Aconite Road and Lynnsport Way is now complete and available for use by construction traffic. Significant progress has been made on drainage and other utility infrastructure. Letters were delivered to residents in advance of piling works, which are planned to commence on 17 July and expected to last for two to three weeks. Plots are progressing well, with the show homes and marketing suite currently at joist height.

Town Deal Projects

The board is scheduled to discuss several projects that are part of the King's Lynn Town Deal.

St George's Guildhall & Creative Hub

The report pack states that the overall status of the St George's Guildhall & Creative Hub project is amber, noting a significant gap in funding and contractor tender pricing.

The RIBA stage 4 design final stage reports were delivered in April. The design team are now finalising comments or final additional design items ahead of main contract negotiations. Due to additional design requirements, some of these items will be dealt with post-contract.

Following the submission of PLB's stage three report, further design exercise and narrative and technical meetings, work has been paused on interpretation works until September 2025 while the wider strategy is reviewed and other specialist partners are considered to work alongside PLB to maximise the interpretation design. This is also providing the team with additional time to work on the main tender and get the project into contract.

Active & Clean Connectivity

The report pack states that the overall RAG rating for the Active & Clean Connectivity project is amber.

The Active Travel Hub Enterprise Zone remains under pressure in terms of timeline. Morgan Sindall has been appointed to complete the next stage of design work to clarify costs, which have risen from the initial business case submission, and confirm the Environment Agency's acceptance of design proposals. An update is to be taken to the August Neighbourhood Board upon completion of the next design stage.

The Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) work continues as planned to complete by the end of 2025. The Sustainable Transport campaign, led by Norfolk County Council, is due to run through to early July 2025 to encourage cycling for short journeys in and around King's Lynn.

Riverfront Regeneration

The report pack states that the overall status of the Riverfront Regeneration project is amber.

The King's Lynn Neighbourhood Board has agreed to pause the Devil's Alley element of the project, which will now be taken forward under Plan for Neighborhoods funding. In place of Devil's Alley, a change in scope to the project will progress a core scheme of accessibility interventions at the Custom House which will incur minimal loss of historic fabric. The dry side facility is unaffected by the change in scope, and works will go ahead as planned.

A project adjustment request has formalised this change in project scope, outlining the outputs and allocated funding. This will be submitted to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government once the call-in period for the member delegated decision has ended. £2 million will be re-allocated from the Riverfront Regeneration to the St George's Guildhall and Creative Hub project. A revised business plan and economic case have also been prepared to reflect the change in scope. A full reprogramming exercise has been carried out to ensure alignment with the funding timeframe, and a full re-costing exercise will take place once the design team's plans are finalised.

Public Realm - 'Rail to River'

The report pack states that the overall status of the Public Realm – 'Rail to River' project is currently green. Businesses have been operating from the pop-ups since March. Artwork, seating, and wayfinding digital signs have been installed. Fourteen trees and bespoke planters have been installed on Purfleet Street, New Conduit Street and Broad Street. There has been fire damage to a building on Purfleet Street, where the arch was planned to be attached. Handover to business as usual for pop-ups and digital signs.

Multi-User Community Hub

The report pack states that the overall status of the Multi-User Community Hub is green. Installation of staircases is complete, and wayfinding workshops are underway. The next steps include the continuation of hard scaping design work and the installation of glass for the lantern light.

Major Projects Financial Summary

The board is scheduled to review the Major Projects Financial Summary for 2025-2026, Quarter One. The report provides a summary of the projects' budgets, actuals, and variances.

Officer Major Projects Board Minutes

The board is scheduled to note the Officer Major Projects Board minutes from 14 August 2025.