5:50pm to 6:35pm
Minutes:
The Leader, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Assistant Director – Economic Growth and Economic Development Manager attended to present a report about the Elder Way and Northern Gateway Developments.
The Northern Gateway scheme was approved by Cabinet in July 2016. The scheme aimed to improve the northern gateway to the Town Centre through the provision of three main elements:
· The first element was the provision of a new Multi Storey Car Park (MSCP) to replace the former Saltergate car park that had fallen into disrepair;
· The second element was the construction of the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre on Holywell Cross;
· The third element was the delivery of a new public realm scheme, centred on Elder Way and part of Knifesmithsgate.
There was another related element that was being delivered by the private sector. Jomast Developments Ltd had purchased the former Cooperative Department Store on Elder Way and a full refurbishment of the building had been completed. Premier Inn had taken over the upper floors of the building and had been operating since April 2019. CBC had supported Premier Inn with recruitment of staff and worked with Chesterfield College to deliver a sector-based work academy. Of the people who attended the course, 19 secured employment. Progress on letting the commercial space on the ground floor had been slower than anticipated and was now being impacted by COVID 19.
The construction of the new Saltergate MSCP commenced in September 2018 and was completed in July 2019. The new MSCP provided 526 parking bays, including 32 disabled spaces and 15 larger spaces allocated to parent and child users. There were also six electric vehicle charging spaces available with a further 10 spaces enabled for future connection.
The Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre was being developed on part of Holywell Cross car park. When complete, it would provide a high quality base for up to 32 start-up and small and medium sized businesses. The new Centre sought to build on the success of the Council’s existing portfolio of Innovation Centres at Tapton and Dunston. The building had been designed to have sustainability principles at its heart, minimising its impact on the environment and achieving considerable efficiencies in energy use. The Council’s website had been updated to include a fly through video to give potential occupiers a flavour of what the new enterprise centre will have to offer. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Robert Woodhead’s Ltd, theappointed contractors, were working to strict health and safety criteria in line with national Covid-19 guidance on the operation of construction sites. The impact of Covid-19 on matters such as the supply chain, had required an adjustment to the completion date from early to late spring 2021. Any additional changes to health and safety requirements or a second spike, could result in further delays. The key risk for the Enterprise Centre would be to ensure that the construction progresses as planned.
The public realm scheme would create a more attractive street scene for shoppers, visitors and businesses. The improvements would connect developments at the top of Elder Way with the Town Centre. CBC appointed Whittam Cox and Plan It, specialist landscape architects to develop a public realm scheme for the area. Consultation on the proposals had been ongoing with key stakeholders including local businesses, public transport providers, taxi companies and DCC Highways Teams.Progress had been delayed principally because of the need to obtain Highways approvals for the work. Covid-19 had a significant impact as the DCC Highways Traffic Regulation Order approval team was taken from their day duties to work on the Covid-19 Recovery Plan for Derbyshire. The delay in TRO approval then affected the ability of the street lighting design to be finalised and resulted in further delay to the final issue of construction drawings to DCC. A full project risk register had been developed and would be maintained throughout the build period. The Project Manager would also monitor project spend closely. Communicating effectively with all key stakeholders in the town centre, to ensure that disruption was minimised, would be key to successfully completing this element.
Members raised concerns about empty units in the Cooperative Department Store and it was agreed that the empty units were a loss to the town centre. CBC were working to promote the units along with local and regional agents. There had been viewings and some interested parties, however, these had been lost due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Economic Development Manager noted that creative thinking would be needed.
The Assistant Director was asked at what point the capacity for electric charging points in the Saltergate MSCP would be increased from six. The committee was advised that when all six charging points were in use an additional three would be added.
It was noted that the pandemic had changed the office work culture towards employees working from home and members asked whether this had been included in the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre risk register. The Assistant Director explained that caution had been used in the model expectations for the first year which would build in some cover and the Enterprise Centre provided business support which would be attractive.
Members asked whether the Covid 19 pandemic had been the reason for the closure of the Co-Op shop on Elder Way. CBC had been trying to contact the agent for the unit as they were aware of an organisation who required a new space.
RESOLVED –
1. That the progress report be noted.