Issue - meetings

This report has been prepared in response to Members’ request to bring forward Hook Road Arena following interest expressed from sporting bodies to secure grant funding and thereby for them to progress their proposals for the potential occupation of the site.

The report responds to the sporting enquiries and considers the options for bringing forward a mixed-use scheme for playing pitches / sports / recreation facilities and housing as outlined in the emerging Local Plan 2022-2040 and sets out the implications for the Council of any decision at this time.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)       Note the restriction placed on the land by Surrey County Council as described in paragraphs 9.1 – 9.4 of the report and Exempt Appendix 4 Briefing Note.

(2)       Approve the undertaking of a feasibility study that identifies the land (hatched blue on the plan at Appendix 3) be for use as playing pitches/sports and recreation facilities, and the remaining, eastern land (hatched red on the plan at Appendix 3 of the report) for a policy compliant residential use (subject to the emerging Local Plan 2020-2040 being successfully adopted) to cross subsidise the playing pitches/sports and recreation facilities (and note the implications of this as set out in the Exempt Appendix 4 Briefing Note).

(3)       Nominate and Authorise the Director of Environment, Housing & Regeneration to provide a letter of intent to any interested sporting party to facilitate their own grant bid applications.

(4)       Agree and authorise:

a)     procurement of external legal advice, specialist property project management and consultancy support as detailed within this report.

b)     budget of up to £250,000 to be funded from the Corporate Projects Reserve as described in paragraphs 5.2 – 5.3 of the report.

(5)       Nominate and authorise both the Director of Environment, Housing & Regeneration and the Head of Property & Regeneration in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer, to commission the work outlined within paragraph 6.6 of this report.

(6)       Note a report will be brought back to Committee in approximately 8 - 12 months (as explained in paragraphs 6.1 – 6.5 of the report) following completion of the work outlined above.

The Committee received a report prepared in response to Members’ request to bring forward Hook Road Arena following interest expressed from sporting bodies to secure grant funding and thereby for them to progress their proposals for the potential occupation of the site.

The report responded to the sporting enquiries and considered the options for bringing forward a mixed-use scheme for playing pitches / sports / recreation facilities and housing as outlined in the emerging Local Plan 2022-2040 and set out the implications for the Council.

The matters that were considered by the Committee in relation to this item following the exclusion of the Press and Public is recorded in a separate (not for publication) restricted minute.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)       Note the restriction placed on the land by Surrey County Council as described in paragraphs 9.1 – 9.4 of the report and Exempt Appendix 4 Briefing Note.

(2)       Approve the undertaking of a feasibility study that identifies the land (hatched blue on the plan at Appendix 3) be for use as playing pitches/sports and recreation facilities, and the remaining, eastern land (hatched red on the plan at Appendix 3 of the report) for a policy compliant residential use (subject to the emerging Local Plan 2020-2040 being successfully adopted) to cross subsidise the playing pitches/sports and recreation facilities (and note the implications of this as set out in the Exempt Appendix 4 Briefing Note).

(3)       Nominate and Authorise the Director of Environment, Housing & Regeneration to provide a letter of intent to any interested sporting party to facilitate their own grant bid applications.

(4)       Agree and authorise:

a)     procurement of external legal advice, specialist property project management and consultancy support as detailed within this report.

b)     budget of up to £250,000 to be funded from the Corporate Projects Reserve as described in paragraphs 5.2 – 5.3 of the report.

(5)       Nominate and authorise both the Director of Environment, Housing & Regeneration and the Head of Property & Regeneration in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer, to commission the work outlined within paragraph 6.6 of this report.

(6)       Note a report will be brought back to Committee in approximately 8 - 12 months (as explained in paragraphs 6.1 – 6.5 of the report) following completion of the work outlined above.