Minutes:
The Board received a presentation which updates on the following items (see slides for details).
a) ESAC
b) Town Centre Diversification
c) Durham Dales Gateway
d) South Church Enterprise Park
e) Springboard to Employment
f) Heritage Walking and Cycling
g) Tindale Triangle
M Jackson gave an overview of the programme including governance and subsidy control timescales. Subsidy Control was a mandatory requirement for accumulative for schemes of more than £10m and details were being finalised with TAP to be submitted by the end of June, however this had been delayed. After submission a notification would be published for 30 days in which it would be open to public scrutiny. It would take a further 10 working days to receive approval.
It was agreed that the Chair would be notified on submission of the Subsidy Control letter.
Bishop Gateway (Formally known as ESAC)
M Jackson gave a comprehensive update on Bishop Gateway. Design work complete and costs were higher that the budget available. Work was ongoing with the design team and partners to review the specification and cost. A second round of design work including a review of the car park, was almost complete with a view of bringing costs in line with the budget available.
In response to a question from S Rushworth, M Jackson confirmed that the planning submission should be submitted by November/December and determined in mid 2025, following which building would commence. M Jackson further advised on the grant timelines.
In response to a further question from S Rushworth, M Jackson confirmed that there were no ownership issues with the land affected.
TownCentre Diversification
Art Hub
E Perry updated the Board and reported that as with other TAP projects the Art Hub was subject to subsidy control. As reported at the last meeting the project had reverted back to the original business case. This included a hub for local artists, creation of creative space, makers markets. Ideas included the resurrection of the flower festival.
M Harker advised that he had recently met with Baccanalia and financial support had been agreed by Bishop Auckland Town Council to support the Christmas event that was to be supported through the Artist Hub project.
Market Place Hotel
E Perry advised that RIBA Stage 2 designs would be submitted by mid September. TAP were working closely with the Councils Planning and Technical Officers with regard to design. A decision on the delisting was expected by the end of the following week. Stage 2 Designs would be shared with the Board at the next meeting. The hotel would be operated by TAP as a welcoming place offering limited service, breakfast and bar, rather than a destination hotel. TAP were looking at an opening date as early as January 2027.
S Rushworth asked if the design would be sympathetic to the architecture of the surrounding Market Place. E Perry confirmed that TAP was working with the Councils Conservation Officers and the design would complement the other buildings in the Market Place.
J Ruffer confirmed that he was very excited about the hotel and provided the Board with the background and need for a quality hotel.
Public Realm
M Jackson highlighted that work on the public realm element of the scheme was subject to the later tabled Town Centre Diversification report. Costs were currently above the allocated budget.
M Harker advised the board that the three questions he was regularly asked by residents related to Canny Hill roundabout, Queens Head Hotel and Vinovium House. He also praised the FHSF public realm funded works at Kingsway Square and North to Fore Bondgate.
Durham Dales Gateway
E Perry advised the Board that demolition was complete and planning for civil works had been submitted. The scheme was now on schedule for completion in December.
South Church
A Walker confirmed that the project was midway through procurement and a contractor would be appointed by the 12 September 2024. There would be a two stage process that would consider the design and re-evaluation of fees. RIBA 3 costs were higher than RIBA 2 and would be considered by the appointed contractor. Business Durham had confirmed that they were confident costs could be brought down.
It was agreed that communications be issued to share details of the scheme at an appropriate time during the programme.
Springboard to Employment
In the absence of S Hope, the Chair reported that McIntyres building would be handed over to Bishop Auckland College on the 3 September 2024 with a completion date of 28 October 2024. The project would be formally launched and activities would begin in November 2024. The project would employ a Centre Manager and create a further nine jobs.
Heritage Walking and Cycling Routes
M Jackson gave an update on the project. Concept design and Budget/estimate had been reviewed against LTN1/20. Design review was underway by Active Travel England and consultation plans were complete.
Preliminary Design was underway and preliminary design for Kingsway interface complete. More details would be presented at the next Board meeting.
Tindale Triangle
M Jackson reported that the Tindale Triangle was up and running however there were some areas to finalise. With regards to junction designs, drains and highways were under review to see if costs could be reduced to offer better value for money.
Work would start in the new calendar year and take an estimated six months.
In response to a question from S Rushworth, T Yorke confirmed the new cinema would be opening in January 2025.
S Rushworth referred to the pedestrian crossing at Sainsburys and queried whether a footbridge crossing was being considered. M Jackson explained that any crossing would need to be in the correct place.