Agenda item

Report of Senior Head of Regeneration, Planning and Assets

Cabinet lead member: Councillor Margaret Bannister.

(1) Recommendations for the marketing and future development of the site as set out in the report agreed.

(2) Appointment of a project manager to assemble the project team and prepare concept designs to support the marketing of the site agreed.

(3) Senior Head of Regeneration, Planning and Assets, in consultation with the Strategic Property Board, given delegated authority to market the site to secure a cafe/restaurant operator and agree the final design.

(4) The £1.2m from the Department for Communities and Local Government grant allocated to the new Wish Tower development.

6.1 Councillor Freebody addressed the Cabinet welcoming the government’s grant assistance for this scheme.  He expressed his hopes for an iconic building and also that the new venture would have a broad appeal as a café/restaurant and prove popular with a wide section of Eastbourne’s residents and visitors.

6.2 Cabinet considered the report of the Senior Head of Regeneration, Planning and Assets.  The council had opened a temporary catering facility in 2013 following the demolition of the old cafe.  The council was now in a position to move forward with the development of a permanent top quality venue that offers an exceptional dining experience, boosted by high end interior and exterior design values.  The unique location of the site presented the council with an unparalleled opportunity to secure an iconic development; the intention being that the new scheme would prove attractive to both visitors and residents. It was also imperative that the new development was financially viable generating an income to the council.

6.3 Funding of up to £1.2m for the new development would come from money awarded by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). This would form the largest element of the total £2m fund granted by DCLG which was providing support to a range of other economic development activities across the town. 

6.4 The new building would retain its original standing as a memorial to the civilians of Eastbourne, killed in World War II.  The council had safeguarded the original commemorative plaque, previously displayed at the former café (which had originally been built with the assistance of funds donated by the Foyle family in the 1950s) and it was the council’s firm intention that this would be reinstated and form part of the integrated design of the successful scheme.

6.5 An updated planning brief had been prepared to support the marketing exercise to be launched on 15 June 2015.  In addition, the Council had obtained a ‘soft market test’, undertaken by an international leisure market and investment appraisal specialist.  The results of this study and how this had informed the proposed marketing strategy were detailed in the report.

6.6 The eventual level of investment by both the council and the future operator would be informed by the outcome of the marketing campaign and subsequent negotiations in respect of tenure.  At this stage, it was envisaged that construction would follow a ‘traditional approach’ as opposed to say ‘design and build’ with the council responsible for the design of the facility and a contractor to be appointed to deliver the scheme.  Internal fit out would be the responsibility of the tenant. 

6.7 A services of an appropriately qualified project manager would need to be secured whose role would include the appointment of an architect to draw up concept plans to RIBA stage C within the parameters of the planning guidance note and reflecting the council’s aspiration for this iconic site.  It was envisaged that these plans would assist potential operators visualise the scale and form of the new facility, in turn assisting them in submitting bids for the future operation of the new café/restaurant.

6.8 Significant interest from the public in respect of the future development of this important site was anticipated and following the marketing campaign, it was proposed that shortlisted proposals be considered by the Strategic Property Board as a pre-requisite to a wider stakeholder consultation on the preferred scheme.  This would be subject to a future Cabinet report.

6.9 Resolved (key decision): (1) That the recommendations for the marketing and future development of the site set out in the report be agreed.

(2) That the appointment of a project manager to assemble the project team and prepare concept designs to support the marketing of the site be agreed.

(3) That the Senior Head of Regeneration, Planning and Assets, in consultation with the Strategic Property Board, be given delegated authority to market the site to secure a cafe/restaurant operator and agree the final design.

(4) That the £1.2m from the Department for Communities and Local Government grant is allocated to the new Wish Tower development.