Issue - meetings

Neil Johnson, Assistant Director – Economic Growth, and Patrick Middleton, Project Manager, Northern Gateway, gave a presentation on the progress of the developments at the Northern Gateway, referring to:

·        Refurbishment of the old Co-op store building to provide an 89 bed hotel, restaurants and leisure fitness centre. It was anticipated that the hotel would open by the end of 2018;

·        Construction of a new 529 space multi-storey car park to replace the demolished one on Saltergate, with improved facilities and security. The planning application had been submitted and a contractor appointed with an anticipated completion date of March 2019;

·        Construction of a new Enterprise Centre on part of the existing Donut roundabout, with space for 36 businesses, providing up to 170 jobs. It was hoped to appoint a contractor shortly with an anticipated completion date by March 2020 at the latest;

·        Development of a pedestrian friendly streetscene environment on Elder Way and Knifesmithgate, including loading bays, drop off points and improved taxi rank provision on Knifesmithgate, with an anticipated completion date by March 2019.

The developments were planned to enhance the town centre economy and leisure offer, and there would be further public consultation on the plans during the summer of 2018.

It was noted that design of the streetscene environment would need to consider achieving a balance between the need for loading facilities, a suitable taxi rank, bus stops and drop off points for the hotel.

It was explained that members of the Taxi Consultative Committee would be consulted again in the future on the other developments at Peak Resort and the Waterside, including improved access to the railway station, which were part of the longer-term town centre masterplan.