Issue - meetings
Lancaster Square Routes
Meeting: 25/06/2013 - Cabinet (Item 16)
16 Lancaster Square Routes 
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(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)
Report of the Head of Regeneration & Planning
Minutes:
(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)
Cabinet received a report from the Head of Regeneration & Planning which provided details on the decision required concerning a centrepiece for Market Square as part of the next phase of work to implement Lancaster Square Routes.
The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:
Both options presented fit to the concept design previously consulted on and approved. Both would add much seating capacity to the square, effectively doubling that planned elsewhere on the new benches. The options offered a similar capacity of seating, giving people opportunities to sit in a variety of arrangements. Both options for a centrepiece were designed to fit to an improved layout of the Charter Market in the square and both took up much less space than did the arrangement of the former fountain in association with the benches around. As regards the potentials for using the centrepiece as a stage for performance both options offered this but there were differences. These and all other relative differences between the two options were considered further in the table below.
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Option 1 |
The centrepiece to Market Square comprising a single elevated structure (as per the Option 1 drawings in Appendix 1).
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Advantages |
Option is wholly consistent with the agreed concept design for Market Square, with the first phase completed last year. This option is consistent with the concept designs which went through extensive public and stakeholder consultation at the inception of Lancaster Square Routes. Centrepiece is multi-purpose as it can be used as seating and as staging for performances and fits well with other uses of the square including the Charter Market. Builds in the ability to use the structure for a wide range of performances and is readily useable without additional interventions. The dimensions are proportional to the setting and the potential size of the audience. Builds in steps to meet building regulation requirements for staged performances. From a practical perspective it is much easier (eg no need for setting up, storage, transportation) |
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Disadvantages |
It is more obstructive to pedestrian movement through the very centre of the square than option 2.
Will not offer a sufficient depth of stage for certain larger bands.
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Risks |
That the centrepiece does not find favour with people. This is a risk with any public design installation and no more so here in the very centre of the city. The agreed concept design follows extensive consultation, which elicited a generally positive response. The extensive design and community engagement work informing the proposal suggests the square does need a fitting and multi-purpose centrepiece. |
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Option 2 |
The centrepiece to Market Square comprising twin elevated structures (as per the Option 2 drawings in Appendix 1) and also including for the council investing in demountable units that inserted between the two permanent structures would make it possible to provide for a full stage area equivalent to that offered in the option 1 proposal.
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Advantages |
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