Decision details

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

Cabinet received a joint report from the Chief Officer (Regeneration and Planning) and Chief Officer (Resources) to approve the freehold and leasehold disposal of the land south of Bailrigg Lane, Lancaster (the ‘Science Park’ site).  The report was exempt from publication by virtue of Paragraph 3, of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the exempt report.

Councillor Hanson proposed, seconded by Councillor Bryning:-

“That the recommendation, as set out in the exempt report, be approved.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved:

(6 Members (Councillors Blamire, Bryning, Hanson, Leytham, Sands and Smith) voted in favour and 2 Members (Councillors Barry and Hamilton-Cox) abstained).

(1)          That the land south of Bailrigg Lane, Lancaster, as shown edged red and coloured blue on the plan attached,  be disposed of on the terms and conditions as set out in section 2 of the exempt report.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer (Resources)

Chief Officer (Regeneration and Planning)

Reasons for making the decision

The Lancaster Science Park (or Innovation campus) is a long-standing regeneration priority of the Council and is identified as such in the Local Development Framework Core Strategy. 

The Council’s acquisition of the land was funded by the former North West Development Agency (NWDA) to facilitate specifically the Science Park idea.  This places significant restrictions and obligations on the Council in terms of its disposal of the land and also on the future use and development of the site.

Furthermore, the Corporate Property Strategy requires that the Council review its asset base and only retain those assets required to meet its agreed objectives and priorities.  Where assets are not required for this purpose, generally they should be disposed of at best value.  This sale allows the Council to improve the management of its assets