Issue - meetings

(i)           That the progress made to date by Capital&Centric on the York Place, Midway Car Park and The Ryecroft projects in Newcastle Town Centre be noted;

(ii)         That, subject to Council approval of the funding as set out in Recommendation 3:

a.     The Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth, and the Portfolio Holder for One Council, People and Partnerships, be authorised to progress legal agreements to enable the appointment of Capital&Centric under three Pre-Development Services Agreements (PDSA) for the development of the three schemes through a direct award under the Pagabo Development Management Framework.

b.     That the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth, and Portfolio Holder for One Council, People and Partnerships, be authorised to enable re-development works to commence on York Place, through Capital&Centric’s PDSA, at a cost not exceeding £500,000 (the cost of which is included in the overall budget).

(iii)            Recommends that Council approve expenditure of up to £2,649,000 to develop the three schemes to the end of RIBA Stage 3, and the submission of planning applications.

The Leader introduced a report providing an update on progress made with Capital&Centric on York Place, the Midway Car Park and the Ryecroft projects and to make recommendations to Council to progress to the next stage.  The car park, which was the key starting block on the Ryecroft was now taking place and would be completed by the end of the year.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth stated that the report was asking for permission to take the three schemes up to planning permission delivery.  Once the new car park was completed the Midway would be closed.  In addition, York Place would be stripped out and build around the existing frame.  The development would create 47 units on York Place, 106 on the Midway and at least 55 on the Ryecroft.

Members welcomed the redevelopment stating that it would be good for the town and that this was the way to move forward.

The Leader proposed an amended recommendation (ii) and an additional recommendation (iii) as written below.

Resolved:    (i)       That the progress made to date by Capital&Centric on the

York Place, Midway Car Park and The Ryecroft projects in Newcastle Town Centre be noted;

(ii)             That, subject to Council approval of the funding as set out in Recommendation 3:

a.                The Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the

Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth, and the Portfolio Holder for One Council, People and Partnerships, be authorised to progress legal agreements to enable the appointment of Capital&Centric under three Pre-Development Services Agreements (PDSA) for the development of the three schemes through a direct award under the Pagabo Development Management Framework.

b.                    That the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation

with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth, and Portfolio Holder for One Council, People and Partnerships, be authorised to enable re-development works to commence on York Place, through Capital&Centric’s PDSA, at a cost not exceeding £500,000 (the cost of which is included in the overall budget).

(iii)           Recommends that Council approve expenditure of up to £2,649,000 to develop the three schemes to the end of RIBA Stage 3, and the submission of planning applications.

Watch the debate here