Agenda item

To consider the update on the regeneration of Crewe town centre.

The Committee considered the report on the Crewe Town Centre Regeneration Programme.

The report set out the proposals for further town centre regeneration with a focus on residential-led development. 

During discussion the Committee asked questions on the future use of the old Marks & Spencer and Dorothy Perkins buildings which had been sold.  It was reported that officers were working with the new owners, but details could not be disclosed at present.

The Committee supported the proposals for in-town living as they were a driver for regeneration, economic activity, and housing solutions and recognised that retail alone could not revive town centres and that mixed use development was required.  

RESOLVED (by majority):  The Committee

1.             direct the creation of a business case relating to a potential Crewe town centre development scheme, and if the business case is positive, delegate to the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of Economy & Growth Committee, the decision to recommend to the Finance Sub-Committee the creation of a supplementary revenue estimate of up to £275,000 for the revenue budget to develop scheme proposals, including a) internal staffing costs b) external professional advice regarding development, law, valuation, appraisal, procurement and social value, and; c) a direct contribution towards the costs to be incurred by the developer; and

2.             subject to (1), seek approval from Finance Sub-Committee to approve either:

a)    external grant funding in relation to delivery of development proposals including scheme delivery; or

b)    the extension of flexible use of capital receipts and that this extension of £275,000 is added to the council’s regular reporting on capital receipt generation to relevant committees to ensure appropriate oversight, scrutiny and grip, or;

3.             subject to (2) delegate authority to the Director of Growth & Enterprise to enter into a pre-development agreement with a developer, through an appropriate procurement framework, to develop a masterplan and delivery plan for specific council-owned sites in Crewe town centre, i.e. land at Victoria St / Queensway / Delamere Street (‘Royal Arcade’), Chester Street car park and Delamere Street car park;

4.             note that this (3) would involve an exclusivity agreement for the developer up to the point that a development agreement may be entered into for the construction of a scheme comprising residential and commercial buildings and public realm, subject to further consideration and authorisation by this committee.

5.             authorise the Director of Growth & Enterprise to enter into negotiations regarding potential disposal of other council-owned sites in Crewe town centre where the third party owns adjacent properties, subject to best consideration (Local Government Act 1972, s123);

6.             authorise the Director of Growth & Enterprise to build upon the emerging ‘Crewe vision’ in progressing a regeneration and development framework for the urban area of Crewe.

7.             delegate authority to the Executive Director – Place, in consultation with the Executive Director of Resources and the Governance, Compliance and Monitoring Officer, to enter into contracts/agreements and appoint contractors in relation to all of the above.

8.             delegate authority to the Director of Growth & Enterprise to agree revisions to the current Terms of Reference of Crewe Town Board.