Agenda item

The report of the Director – Neighbourhoods is attached.

It was RESOLVED that Cabinet:

a)               acknowledges the need for an additional local community venue for hire within the Sharphill Woods SUE to serve the emerging community following an internal review of community provision; and

b)               approves the allocation of £0.5m in the Capital Programme for 2023/24 to develop a local community venue for hire within the Sharphill Woods SUE to meet the future needs of the area.

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Communities and Climate Change, Councillor Brennan, presented the report of the Director – Neighbourhoods outlining proposals for a new Edwalton Community Building.

Councillor Brennan advised that the report provided an update on the Sharphill Woods Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE) and provision of local community spaces for hire within the development to meet the needs of new residents and to compliment the wider community space for hire. 

Councillor Brennan stated that the SUE, which was currently being developed comprised around 1,500 dwellings, employment land, local amenities, and a primary school with integrated community facilities.  There were two primary schools within the SUE, Edwalton Primary and the new Rosecliffe Primary School, with the latter containing a joint use community element to meet the needs of the emerging community. 

Cabinet was advised that to meet the educational needs of the school and to safeguard the children, it would not be possible for local groups to use this shared community space during the day and therefore a review of available community venues had been undertaken, and it was concluded that there was a need for a smaller hall for daytime use to cater for groups up to 40 people.  In consultation with the developer, Councillor Brennan confirmed that a site had been identified for an accessible community facility, with pedestrian links to Sharphill Woods and other local amenities.  Reference was made to the key requirements for the new facility highlighted in Paragraphs 4.14 and 4.15 of the report, including a commitment that the facility should align with the Council’s carbon reduction targets, and Cabinet was advised that the indicative plans appended to the report showed that the facility would essentially be carbon net zero.

In respect of the ownership and management of the site, Councillor Brennan confirmed that Cabinet was being asked to make provision for the building costs of £0.5m, the developers would construct the building and then donate it to the Council for ongoing maintenance and management, as detailed in paragraphs 4.16 and 7 of the report. 

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Upton referred to the size of the SUE and the importance of having a local community building.  Councillor Upton stated that it was unfortunate that the joint use community agreement for the facilities at the new school prevented community use during school hours due to safeguarding issues, which was understandable; however, the proposed community building should provide a first class facility for all local residents.  Councillor Upton welcomed the proposed location, liked the indicative building design, and concluded by stating that becoming carbon neutral by 2030 would be a challenge but considered it to be achievable.

Councillor Robinson stressed the need for this building and confirmed that the proposed design had been considered at four meetings of the Sharphill Stakeholder Group and welcomed the positive local input, including the Friends of Sharphill.  Councillor Robinson advised that plans had been amended to meet community requirements and it was noted that the large school hall would still be available, subject to the time restraints already referred to.  In respect of local requirements, Councillor Robinson stated that more mature residents often preferred to meet during the day, particularly in the winter months, and this building would meet that need, especially as the site was already well populated.  Cabinet noted that a key issue was access, and whilst the potential location had originally been more central, in terms of the layout of the site itself and access routes, this proposed location was more suitable.  Councillor Robinson was sure that the Edwalton community would welcome this development, in addition to the community park and playgrounds and other local facilities and looked forward to seeing its progression over the next 18 months.

It was RESOLVED that Cabinet:

a)               acknowledges the need for an additional local community venue for hire within the Sharphill Woods SUE to serve the emerging community following an internal review of community provision; and

b)               approves the allocation of £0.5m in the Capital Programme for 2023/24 to develop a local community venue for hire within the Sharphill Woods SUE to meet the future needs of the area.