Agenda item

Seaton Moridunum site

Minutes:

The Project Manager Place, Assets & Commercialisation provided information on the vacant Moridunum site on Seaton seafront. She explained that the key decision was whether to continue with Fosseway Transition Ltd for them to acquire the Moridunum site, or whether the site should be marketed.  FTL were able to deliver their own Fosseway Court development without the council’s land.  The council was keen to support delivery of their scheme. FTL were not precluded from bidding in the future.  Marketing the site allowed the council to better influence the redevelopment and public realm outcomes. 

 

Discussions included the following:

·        Need to move forward as not progressing and need to speed this up

·        Encourage Fosseway Transition to put in a bid as well as encourage bids from others, in order to present fresh ideas to improve its aesthetics as well as the economy and Seaton seafront

·        The possibility of a joint venture for the selected developer with EDDC

·        Seaton seafront has glorious vistas but this site is an eyesore

·        Redevelopment was an integral part to improving the seafront for residents and visitors, this had been going on too long

·        The need for a timetable to when we get decision for when EDDC would be in a position on this redevelopment

·        How can assurance be given that any new development was delivered in a timely manner

 

RECOMMENDED that;

Senior officers

1. Agree undertaking a marketing exercise of the Moridunum site for disposal, where the redevelopment of the site will include the re-provision of public realm over the top of the site and to include a ransom strip or similar to ensure the council’s long term ransom interest is protected.

 

2. Agree that the council should work collaboratively and cooperatively with FTL in order to facilitate the delivery of the Fosseway Court residential development including necessary legal agreements and financial transactions.

 

3. Agree that delegated authority is given to the Service Lead for Place, Assets & Commercialisation, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Assets to review how the redevelopment of the Moridunum site could be expeditiously progressed, including the potential for the council to pursue a joint venture.

 

RECOMMENDED to Council;

4. That a budget of £15,000 be made available to provide additional technical resources to the Place, Assets & Commercialisation Service to ensure the ability to engage on technical matters regarding the work being undertaken at Fosseway Court.

 

REASON:

To enable to decide how best to deliver the redevelopment of the Moridunum site bearing in mind the importance of the site for Seaton and in order to satisfy its obligations to achieve best consideration in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972.

 

To enable the council to work collaboratively with the developers of Fosseway Court in order to support the delivery of Fosseway Court ensuring that all appropriate and authorised use of council land was managed effectively, safely and in a timely manner.

 

To ensure that the council could engage on technical matters affecting council land in relation to the redevelopment of Fosseway Court.

 

DECISION:

The recommendation(s) was/were approved by a Senior Officer. The Senior Officer Decision Notice is listed below.

Supporting documents: