Agenda item

Purpose of Report

To seek Executive approval for the Cornhill, Markets and City Centre Vibrancy Project.

Decision

(1)       That consent be given to remove the Cornhill Kiosk and tree, subject to planning permission and vacant possession.

(2)       That authority be given to officers to trial an extension of the outdoor market on City Square.

(3)       That authority be given to develop proposals for the remaining £250,000 budget and for work to take place with stakeholders to agree on a schedule of delivery.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Alternative options considered and rejected were set out in paragraph 7.1 of the report.

Reason for Decision

The City Council had made a public commitment through both the City Centre Masterplan and Vision 2020 to develop an enhanced market offer for the city and provide improved public realm on the Cornhill Square. The Council was now in a position, subject to planning and some tenancy negotiations, to move forward with capital works to demolish the Cornhill Kiosk and make good the associated public realm in order to create an enhanced space for events.

Approval was therefore sought for the following aspects of the Cornhill, Markets and City Centre Vibrancy Project:

·         demolition of the Cornhill Kiosk and subsequent reinstatement of the associated public realm;

·         removal of a tree adjacent to the Cornhill Kiosk to open up Cornhill Square;

·         allocation of funds for the demolition of the Cornhill Kiosk and removal of the adjacent tree and costs incurred in obtaining vacant possession of the Cornhill Kiosk which was currently leased;

·         extension of the outdoor market offer on City Square to explore the viability of an outdoor market offer in this location;

·         identify sources of external funding to bring forward the redevelopment of the Central Market and the Cornhill and City Squares;

·         development of the financial business case to ensure the Council’s risks and financial exposure were minimised;

·         negotiation of any legal agreements required to enable delivery of the proposals as the scheme developed.

Whilst the full proposals for the city centre were still being developed, all partners agreed that the removal of the Kiosk on Cornhill Square to open it up to the High Street and create a much more effective public open space as part of the Public Realm Strategy was long overdue. The demolition of the Cornhill Kiosk and removal of the tree in front of the building therefore formed the first phase of improvements and would then allow the City Council to focus on creating a robust market offer around Central Market and City Square. This would allow the Cornhill to become a more appropriate space for events and encourage additional footfall and activity within the city centre.

Work was currently taking place to bring together a more joined up approach regarding the use, application and enforcement of a range of rights and licenses affecting trading in the city centre to further support the vibrancy, health and future of the city centre.  The Council was also working with support from key project partners to submit a bid under the Government’s Future High Street Fund for city centre vibrancy projects including the market, public realm and accessibility projects.

Councillor Ric Metcalfe said that this proposal was another example the regeneration taking place in the city. With regard to the tree, the Council was reluctant to see the removal of any tree in the city but appreciated the need for this particular tree to be removed given its condition and location. He asked for clarity regarding its replacement and where this would be located in view of the Council’s policy of planting a new tree for every tree it removed.

Councillor Jackie Kirk asked what timescales were associated with the proposed works. It was noted that there were a number of processes to go through as part of the scheme, but the target was after summer 2019 with a possibility that it could be completed before the summer depending on how things developed.

Councillor Neil Murray praised the proposal and said that Lincoln was really bucking the trend with regard to its high street when compared to other high streets across the country, with the completion of Sincil Street adding to this. Councillor Murray was particularly pleased to see an extension of the market offer as part of this proposal. He was of the view that enhancing the Central Market would be a useful additional to the regeneration of the area as well, which he felt was looking quite tired compared to markets in other towns or cities.

Councillor Metcalfe made the point that there was a misconception by some people that the Kiosk was Victorian, when in fact it had been built in 1999. It was noted that the burger bar located behind the Kiosk was built in 1982 and that nothing had been located in that area previously. With regard to the tree replacement, it was reported that the Council’s Public Realm Strategy identified areas in the city where more greenery was required or desired.

Councillor Fay Smith made the point that there were approximately 84,000 trees in the city, reiterating the point that it was the Council’s policy to plant new trees for every tree the authority removed in the city.

Councillor Donald Nannestad requested that more information be provided to members to clarify where new trees were being planted, in order to report this to residents upon requests which he often received. It was noted that consent was required to remove this particular tree due to it being located in a conservation area.