Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Planning and Emergency Planning.

Cabinet agreed

(a)    Cabinet agreed to award ringfenced s106 developer contributions up to the value of £876,278 to Shaftesbury Town Council for the purpose of building and operating a Community Hub and landscaped open space and recreational facilities at Mampitts Green, Shaftesbury, subject to fulfilment of the conditions set out in paragraphs 6.7 to 6.14 of the report to Cabinet of 15 October 2024.

(b)    That the appraisal of further information required by the conditions is agreed by the Head of Planning in consultation with the Cabinet Member and Portfolio for Planning and Emergency Planning, and any subsequent transfer of funds (and land) is made under the relevant officer delegation in accordance with the s106 protocol process.

Reason for the decision

To support the delivery of much-needed community facilities to serve the residents of Shaftesbury by fulfilling the requirements of longstanding planning obligations linked to the Maltings development.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Emergency Planning presented the report regarding Mampitts Green, Shaftesbury and the delivery of community facilities for residents of Shaftesbury.

He advised that two rival bids had been received from Shaftesbury Town Council and Mampitts Community Land Trust.  Each bid had been appraised, had merit and the outcome was finely balanced with strengths and weaknesses appearing in both proposals. Collaborative working on one bid had been encouraged, but this had been proven to be unsuccessful.

The Cabinet Member proposed that Cabinet should award the developer contribution funding to Shaftesbury Town Council on the basis that the council was an elected, accountable body, which provided strong governance. The town council’s proposal also demonstrated a strong position regarding operational capability and financial resilience. The recommendation was seconded by Cllr R Holloway.

Cabinet members felt it was disappointing that agreement could not be reached but they supported the recommendation.

 Cabinet agreed (unanimously approved)

(a)    Cabinet agreed to award ringfenced s106 developer contributions up to the value of £876,278 to Shaftesbury Town Council for the purpose of building and operating a Community Hub and landscaped open space and recreational facilities at Mampitts Green, Shaftesbury, subject to fulfilment of the conditions set out in paragraphs 6.7 to 6.14 of the report to Cabinet of 15 October 2024.

(b)    That the appraisal of further information required by the conditions is agreed by the Head of Planning in consultation with the Cabinet Member and Portfolio for Planning and Emergency Planning, and any subsequent transfer of funds (and land) is made under the relevant officer delegation in accordance with the s106 protocol process.

Reason for the decision

To support the delivery of much-needed community facilities to serve the residents of Shaftesbury by fulfilling the requirements of longstanding planning obligations linked to the Maltings development.