Issue - meetings

Resolved:     (a)       That Option (a) be adopted:

Market the building again in its current condition – i.e. without Council money being expended on it, but without any requirement for community use or public access.  However, it should be noted that Newcastle Town Centre has plenty of available buildings that organisations and businesses could lease/buy, most of which do not have such a large upfront refurbishment cost attached to them.  That said the building is inherently attractive and distinctive, occupying a prominent position, with direct access onto the ring road and with on-site car parking.

(b)       That Officers continue to at other available options including housing.

A report was submitted requesting Cabinet to consider the options available to the Council to bring forward the refurbishment and re-use of the former St Giles & St Georges School building in Newcastle Town Centre.

The Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Town Centres stated that the issue had been debated by the Economic Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The Chair of that Committee confirmed that a good discussion had taken place of all the available options and that the main consensus of the Committee was that the building should not be demolished but that it was understood that this could be a last resort should all other options fail.

Members considered that the building would be ideally suited to apartments and agreed that demolition was not desirable option.

The Portfolio Holder Recommended that Option (a) be agreed but that Officers continue to keep an eye on the housing market with a view to marketing the building for apartments in the future. .

Resolved:     (a)       That Option (a) be adopted:

Market the building again in its current condition – i.e. without Council money being expended on it, but without any requirement for community use or public access.  However, it should be noted that Newcastle Town Centre has plenty of available buildings that organisations and businesses could lease/buy, most of which do not have such a large upfront refurbishment cost attached to them.  That said the building is inherently attractive and distinctive, occupying a prominent position, with direct access onto the ring road and with on-site car parking.

(b)       That Officers continue to at other available options including housing.