Issue - meetings

The land at Wessex Fields is located adjacent to the A338 in Bournemouth and between the University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust (formerly Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospital) and the Stour Valley way greenfield site.

On 18 March 2020 Cabinet authorised officers to progress soft market testing in order to identify interested parties and viable delivery options which related to the preferred use themes of; health, care, research and education as well as seeking to include key worker or affordable housing and realisation of the vision of the Living Lab.

Following a period of soft market testing undertaken by external agents Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) an options appraisal has been produced which considers the range of delivery options, the advantages and disadvantages of each and outlines the preferred option for progression for the Council.

The recommended option, proposes a disposal of part of this site to the adjoining landowner University Hospitals Dorset, another public sector body, in partnership with Bournemouth University to deliver their proposal for a strategically relevant development with a focus on Medtech, medical research & education put forward via the soft market testing.

Progressing this option enables BCP Council to develop the remainder of the Wessex Fields site in line with the preferred use themes and in the most strategically beneficial way to the conurbation and local community and supports the Council’s desire to work with the NHS Trusts.

Therefore, this report seeks consent in principle to dispose of part of the site adjoining the hospital boundary to University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with Bournemouth University and determine the exact future development structure and collaboration for the remainder of the site which will be subject to a further Cabinet approval.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:-

(a)         Agrees in principle to progress the development of the site at Wessex Fields in accordance with the recommended option and explore funding opportunities in collaboration with University Hospitals Dorset in partnership with Bournemouth University to facilitate the wider mixed-use development of the site which meets the preferred use themes;

(b)          Authorises officers to enter into negotiations with University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with Bournemouth University on the detailed terms of the recommended option; and

(c)          Approves a £100k budget to cover external legal and professional advice and adjust the MTFP for 2020/21. This sum to be funded by capital receipt from disposal of part of the site.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning

Reason

To contribute to the Council’s Corporate strategy priorities, specifically helping to create dynamic places and fulfilled lives.

The preferred option meets the aspirations of the Council and its key strategic partners, the local NHS trust and Bournemouth University to deliver the vision developed for Wessex Fields which is set out in a Memorandum of Understanding between the parties.

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

Cabinet was reminded that the land at Wessex Fields was located adjacent to the A338 in Bournemouth and between the University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust (formerly Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospital) and the Stour Valley way greenfield site, and that on 18 March 2020 Cabinet had authorised officers to progress soft market testing in order to identify interested parties and viable delivery options which related to the preferred use themes of; health, care, research and education as well as seeking to include key worker or affordable housing and realisation of the vision of the Living Lab.

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that following a period of soft market testing undertaken by external agents Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) an options appraisal had been produced which considers the range of delivery options, the advantages and disadvantages of each and outlines the preferred option for progression for the Council. Further to this Cabinet was advised that the recommended option, proposes a disposal of part of this site to the adjoining landowner University Hospitals Dorset, another public sector body, in partnership with Bournemouth University to deliver their proposal for a strategically relevant development with a focus on Medtech, medical research & education put forward via the soft market testing. Fields site in line with the preferred use themes and in the most strategically beneficial way to the conurbation and local community and supports the Council’s desire to work with the NHS Trusts. Cabinet was informed that progressing this option would enable BCP Council to develop the remainder of the Wessex Fields site in line with the preferred use themes and in the most strategically beneficial way to the conurbation and local community and supports the Council’s desire to work with the NHS Trusts.

In closing Cabinet was advised that the report sought consent in principle to dispose of part of the site adjoining the hospital boundary to University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with Bournemouth University and determine the exact future development structure and collaboration for the remainder of the site which will be subject to a further Cabinet approval.

Councillor George Farquhar addressed Cabinet questioning whose responsibility it would be to build the key homes? In relation to this the Portfolio Holder advised that it was likely that the build would be progressed by ourselves as the Council in collaboration with the hospital.

Councillor Lawrence Williams addressed Cabinet welcoming the paper.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:-

(a)         Agrees in principle to progress the development of the site at Wessex Fields in accordance with the recommended option and explore funding opportunities in collaboration with University Hospitals Dorset in partnership with Bournemouth University to facilitate the wider mixed-use development of the site which meets the preferred use themes;

(b)          Authorises officers to enter into negotiations  ...  view the full minutes text for item 264

To consider issues within the Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning Portfolio area, including the following report scheduled for Cabinet consideration on 16 December 2020:

• Wessex Fields Site Development Strategy

The O&S Board is asked to scrutinise the report and make recommendations to Cabinet as appropriate.

Cabinet member invited to attend for this item: Councillor Philip Broadhead, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning.

The Cabinet report is attached for consideration by the Overview and Scrutiny Board.

Wessex Fields Site Development Update - The Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning introduced the report, a copy of which had been circulated and which appears as Appendix ‘B’ to the Cabinet minutes of 16 December in the Minute Book. A number of issues were raised by the Board in the subsequent discussion, including:

·     What other parties were interested in the site and undertaking development there. It was noted that details were included in the appendices to the report which provided all responses. The responses were to the principles of the MOU which was already in place with the University, one was from the hospital for the whole site, others were from private sector developers to work with the hospital and university as a partner to the local authority. It was felt that it would be better for the Council to work directly with the partners rather than through an intermediary.

·     A Councillor commented that they hoped that the changes made to make the site more sustainable by the previous administration were carried forward in proposed development.

·     It was noted that it was difficult, without a plan for the land, to understand what would be brought forward in the first stage and whether it would be sufficient to accommodate the core business elements which were previously envisioned. The core aim of the university and hospital was to deliver the technical side which wasn’t overly commercial but was very important to the site. The part of land the Council was looking to sell would accommodate this. It was noted that visions were aligned in terms of development and key worker housing. The sustainability part has always been key to the development.

·     A Councillor commented that they supported the report and recommendation and was pleased that the site would be used for medical facilities.