A report from the Director of Regeneration and Environment will be circulated as soon as possible. This summarises the progress to date. (Report No.97, agenda part two also refers)(Key decision – reference number 3973)

(Report No.90)

TO FOLLOW

(9.15 – 9.20pm)

Councillor Ahmet Oykener (Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Regeneration) and Alan Sitkin (Cabinet Member for Economic Development) introduced the report of the Director of Regeneration and Environment (No.90) summarising the progress to date.

NOTED

1.               That Report No.97 also referred as detailed in Minute No.28 below.

2.               Councillor Oykener emphasised the importance of the decisions detailed in the report which represented a key milestone in the progress of enabling Meridian Water infrastructure. The development cut across a number of Cabinet portfolios and Members would continue to work together to progress the development and implementation of the project. The significant level of new housing that would be provided was highlighted as set out in the report.

3.               Councillor Sitkin highlighted the complexity of the project and the need for effective partnership working to move forward effectively. This represented a significant area of joint working for the benefit of the Borough and its residents.

4.               Councillor Robert Hayward was invited to present his comments to the Cabinet. Councillor Hayward reported that the Conservative Group was supportive of the Meridian Water development and the development of new homes and jobs in the Borough. He stressed the importance of the design of the housing to ensure that they were family friendly with the provision of adequate grassed areas and safe places for children to play.

5.               Members raised a number of issues in respect of the development including the need to effectively support public health issues including facilities suitable for the disabled and, encouraging active lifestyles through for example the encouragement and walking and cycling. The boulevard was designed to be an attractive high quality route through the development.

6.               Councillor Oykener referred members to the new Housing Development Framework (Minute No.11 above referred) and emphasised the importance of involving residents in the consultation on design proposals.

7.               The project would assist in addressing the housing shortage in the Borough and the creation of new jobs. The scheme would link in with the Lee Valley Heat Network.

Alternative Options Considered: Do nothing. This would fail to achieve the objectives set out for delivery of Meridian Water, and lose the significant economic, social and environmental benefits set out with the Meridian Water Masterplan. The Council could decide to wait for developer contributions to fully fund Meridian Boulevard. It was unlikely that contributions would fully fund Meridian Boulevard in the short to medium term, and delivery of this major infrastructure project would therefore be at risk of coming forward in a piecemeal way.

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed to

1.               Endorse the Safeguarded Highway Route for the Meridian Water Causeway (Meridian Boulevard) as detailed in Annex 1 to the report.

2.               Authorise the Director of Regeneration and Environment to appoint consultants via the Government Procurement Service Transport Related Engineering Advice and Research (T-TEAR) framework to develop the detailed design of Phases 1 and 2 of The Causeway (including service diversions and provision of the LVHN pipeline) and to secure technical approval from the council in its capacity of local highway authority.

3.               Authorise the Director of Regeneration and Environment to appoint a contractor via the London Highways Alliance Contract (LoHAC) to implement Phase 1 of the Causeway, at the estimated costs detailed in the Part 2 report (Report No.97, Minute No.28 below refers).

4.               Authorise the Director of Regeneration and Environment to make appropriate provision within the Phase 1 contract for a possible contract extension to enable the construction of Phase 2 of the Causeway (Meridian Boulevard), subject to all necessary regulatory and land-owner agreements first being in place, and final Cabinet approval.

5.               Authorise that the Directors of Regeneration and Environment, and Finance, Resources and Customer Services take all necessary steps to agree terms and enter into any way-leaves, easements, planning, highway and other regulatory consents required to procure the delivery of Phase 1 of the Causeway as appropriate.

6.               Authorise the Director of Regeneration and Environment and the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services to undertake background work to support the possible compulsory purchase of land to deliver the whole, or parts of, the Causeway (Meridian Boulevard) should this be necessary.

7.               Noted that a part 2 report (Report No.97 as detailed in Minute No.28 below) sets out details of the financial considerations and estimated fees required to deliver Phases 1 and 2.

8.               Invite the Directors of Regeneration and Environment and Finance, Resources and Customer Services to submit a further report on Phase 2 of the Causeway (Meridian Boulevard) in due course.

Reason: For the Council to bring forward development in Meridian Water it was imperative that key enabling infrastructure was in place, and delivered in a timely way. Construction of Phase 1 of Meridian Boulevard along with the potential to develop Phase 2 would increase developer confidence, and help to enable substantial housing development. It would also provide the infrastructure pipework necessary to secure early phases of the Lee Valley Heat Network.

(Key decision – reference number 3973)

Members then considered the part two report – No.28 (Minute No.28 below refers) for which the press and public were excluded from the meeting. The minutes follow the order of the published agendas.