Agenda item

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 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