Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and Levelling Up.

Exempt Appendix 2 associated with this report is set out below at item 16 in the agenda.

(a)  That authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Levelling Up and the Executive Director Corporate Development to conclude the acquisition of land at Newstead Road, Weymouth, subject to completed satisfactory decontamination report and gaining approval from DLUHC to movement of LUF funds.

(b)  That authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Levelling Up and the Executive Director Corporate Development to conclude the acquisition of Land to the west of Westwey Road, Weymouth, subject to completed satisfactory decontamination report, gaining approval from DLUHC to movement of LUF funds, and simultaneous purchase of the adjoining site.

(c)  That the submission of a formal application to Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for the movement of Levelling Up funds from the New Bond Street project to fund these acquisitions and site preparation works at Weymouth Bowl, be approved.

The Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and Levelling Up set out the report and its recommendations. He sought support to approve the acquisition of two Brownfield sites to the west of Weymouth marina and to seek approval from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) for the movement of Levelling Up funds from the new Bond Street project to fund these acquisitions. Plus, further demolition and site preparation works at the Weymouth Bowl site.

As the local ward member, Cllr J Orrell supported the proposal and the development opportunities.  In response to his question, the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and Levelling Up acknowledged that this would be a loss of a wet weather attraction, but this was a long-term project with investment opportunities for business, homes, and tourist attractions. The council needed to respond to opportunities to ensure that the best options and investment were made available to the town.

It was proposed by Cllr S Gibson and seconded by Cllr J Haynes

Decision

(a)           That authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Levelling Up and the Executive Director Corporate Development to conclude the acquisition of land at Newstead Road, Weymouth, subject to completed satisfactory decontamination report and gaining approval from DLUHC to movement of LUF funds.

(b)           That authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Levelling Up and the Executive Director Corporate Development to conclude the acquisition of Land to the west of Westwey Road, Weymouth, subject to completed satisfactory decontamination report, gaining approval from DLUHC to movement of LUF funds, and simultaneous purchase of the adjoining site.

(c)           That the submission of a formal application to Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for the movement of Levelling Up funds from the New Bond Street project to fund these acquisitions and site preparation works at Weymouth Bowl, be approved.

Reason for the decision

Market conditions required a change of approach with regard to one of the three LUF funded projects.  The council was obligated to provide residential unit outputs in relation to this project.  Alternative sites had recently been released onto the market which could deliver the outputs and continue to support the wider LUF objectives of supporting the economic growth of Weymouth through redevelopment.  This solution required the movement of £4m of LUF funding to facilitate acquisitions and works.