Agenda item

To consider the progress made in respect of the redevelopment of the Healings Mill site. 

94.1          The report of the Head of Development Services, circulated at Pages No. 97-100, provided an update on the progress being made to secure a suitable development scheme for Healings Mill.  Members were asked to consider the report and to agree to receive updates as any significant changes arose.

94.2          Members were informed that Healings Mill was an important piece of the fabric of Tewkesbury Town Centre and was recognised as such in the emerging Tewkesbury Borough Plan and the draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for Tewkesbury Town Centre.  The report focussed on progress in three areas: planning strategy; discussions with external agencies; and funding.  The Head of Development Services advised that Officers had met with agents working on behalf of the owners of Healings Mill and, whilst these discussions remained confidential at the current time, they were confident that a strategy for the planning framework and delivery of a scheme to regenerate the Mill in accordance with the Council’s aspirations would be forthcoming.  Officers would continue to work with the agents to find a viable solution which brought it in line with the strategic objectives.  Several conversations had also taken place with Historic England and the Environment Agency in relation to the very specific requirements of the site and the significant impact of development.  The Head of Development Services advised that the government had recently announced a fund to revitalise high streets and the Council would shortly be submitting a bid focusing on Tewkesbury Town Centre which would include the Healings Mill site, Spring Gardens and the wider High Street.  This would present an opportunity to set out the vision for the area and, whilst there would not necessarily be specific funding for Healings Mill, it would highlight the opportunities for that part of the town.  It was important to recognise that the Council had no direct control over the timeframe for the project and its role was an enabler and facilitator.

94.3          In response to a query, the Head of Development Services clarified that Healings Mill had been vacant since 2006.  A Member indicated that there was obvious frustration from people in the town about what was happening with the building.  He felt it was unfortunate that the Council had no direct control and questioned whether the possibility of the Council purchasing the building had been considered.  The Head of Development Services advised that Officers shared the frustrations about the progression of the site; however, there was an opportunity to work with the current developer and owner and they were confident that discussions would result in a viable scheme for the site.  If that proved not to be the case, it would be necessary to reassess the options - the Council becoming a more active partner may be one of those conversations but that was not what was intended currently.  The Member was not aware of a business case for the site and questioned whether this had received Committee approval.  He also asked whether the High Street fund bid would influence the business case and if the Healings Mill site would be eligible for that funding.  In response, the Head of Development Services clarified that a business case had not been presented to Officers, and therefore had not been approved by a Committee, and she stressed that no detailed work had been done in relation to the Council purchasing the site.  In terms of the High Street fund, there was no definite proposal and consideration was being given to the overall uses for the area in order to work up a bid.  A Member queried whether the developer and owner were keen for the Council to play a part in developing the site and clarification was provided that they had not expressed an interest in the Council being part of the development company; conversations to date had involved the Council as the local planning authority in terms of acceptable uses for the site.  In response to a query, the Head of Development Services confirmed that the Council had not incurred any costs in relation to the project.

94.4          A Member noted that there was an empty garage at the rear of the site and he questioned whether it was worth exploring a temporary use, for example, as a boxing gym or indoor skate park, as it would be a good opportunity for a new club to get up and running.  The Head of Development Services explained that security was a concern in terms of allowing a “meanwhile” use and there were other health and safety issues which would need to be addressed.  In her view, the best approach was to look for a long-term solution for the site - there may well be opportunities for short-term uses as the site was developed over that time.

94.5           The Chair indicated that the recommendation was for the Committee to receive updates as and when any significant changes arose.  A Member expressed the view that the Council needed to be more proactive where it could be.  He did not share the Officers’ confidence that a scheme would be delivered given that no private enterprise had been prepared to develop the site to date.  The Chair acknowledged this sentiment and it was subsequently

RESOLVED          That an update on the progress being made to secure a suitable development scheme for Healings Mill be brought to the Committee in six months’ time.