Issue - meetings

Wessex Fields

Subscribe to updates

Meeting: 30/09/2019 - Cabinet (Item 50)

50 Wessex Fields Development Site PDF 116 KB

This paper informs the Cabinet of the current status of the Wessex Fields programme which aims to create and retain high quality jobs, reduce congestion and support the re-development of Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospital. It sets out the reasons for taking this opportunity forward, the key milestones to date and the reasons for the proposed changes. The paper recommends an agreed way forward to ensure progress towards unlocking the employment site for development, and to ensure the retention of the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (DLEP) funding.

Additional documents:

Appendix 1 – A338 Wessex Fields Phasing Plan, item 50 PDF 2 MB

Decision:

RESOLVED that Cabinet:-

(a) Note that Phase 1.1 (of Phase 1), as previously agreed with DLEP, is progressing to meet the current programme and funding requirements;

(b) Agree that Phase 1.2 (of Phase 1) will only progress to the boundary of the development site at this time, and not through the site as previously proposed;

(d) Agree that a public consultation event is held in the coming months to consider views on how the site could be developed, including potential use of the site and access to and from it;

(e) Use the information from the consultation to evolve the current master plan for the development site.

Voting: (a) and (b) : 8:1 (1 Abstention)

Portfolio Holder(s): Regeneration

Transport and Infrastructure

REASON

The recommendations support the Council’s drive to respond to the climate emergency, to recognise that new roads induce further traffic, and to listen to the public’s concerns and take appropriate action. The recommendations also support the Council’s key priorities to encourage well-being, sustainability and investment.

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Culture presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet were advised of the current status of the Wessex Fields programme which aimed to create and retain high quality jobs, reduce congestion and support the re-development of the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospital, and further to this were asked to consider an agreed way forward to ensure progress towards unlocking the employment site for development, and to ensure the retention of the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (DLEP) Funding.

Cabinet discussed the phases of the project and agreed that it didn’t seem appropriate to continue the road through the site until further site details were known.

The Vice Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board on behalf of the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board voiced concerns in respect of costs associated with halting Phase 2 and then recommencing at a later stage and of how the scheme would lead to better traffic flow and benefits to the Emergency Services.

A Councillor present at the meeting expressed concerns with regards to holding back the connection to the hospital, and urged that the decision be taken by Full Council.

Other Councillors present at the meeting advised that they were pleased that the road was not to be continued through the site and highlighted that it seemed appropriate to pause and then consider the site as a whole.