Agenda item

Lancaster Canal Quarter Masterplan

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Wilkinson)

Report of Chief Officer Sustainable Growth (report published on 5.7.23)

Minutes:

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Wilkinson)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer Sustainable Growth to approve the submission of the Lancaster Canal Quarter Masterplan to Full Council for its consideration, approval, and adoption into the council’s Policy Framework. The final Masterplan version has been compiled in consideration of the wide stakeholder input and public views received on the consultation Masterplan draft issued last year. The report also summarised next steps in progressing the development phases and proposals, including delivery of the early phase housing proposals.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

	Option 1: The final version of the Canal Quarter Masterplan is approved to be forwarded to Full Council for adoption into the council’s Policy Framework	Option 2: The final version of the Canal Quarter Masterplan is not forwarded to Full Council.
Advantages	Enables the council to progress regeneration proposals to an agreed masterplan and delivery strategy.	No advantages identified unless Members require substantive amendments to the document or seek further consultation on the final document.
Disadvantages	A delay in the adoption of the Masterplan as corporate policy will impact on negotiations with key funding partners and potential investors and deliver further uncertainty around the council’s intentions for the area.	While having some flexibility the masterplan clearly defines the council’s overarching spatial approach and delivery strategy for the future development of the area, particularly in regard to its own land and property assets. Ongoing discussions with funders and third parties takes place outside of an agreed masterplan and delivery strategy.
Risks/ Mitigation	Risks are mainly around reputational risk to the council of approving an approach which does not meet the objectives and/or does not find favour with the wider community. However, the document is based upon and meets the requirements of the Canal Quarter SPD (itself the subject of extensive public and stakeholder participation). It is considered that the masterplan reflects the broad balance of stakeholder and community aspirations (as expressed through consultation) and the council’s overarching and current corporate policy position as expressed by the newly elected council administration.	Delivery and negotiations with funders proceeds outside of an agreed spatial planning framework.

The officer preferred option is Option 1.

Securing delivery would be an ongoing and iterative process which was dependent on the current centralised funding landscape and mainly driven by the opportunities arising under central government mandates – particularly around the “Levelling Up” agenda. However, in adopting a defined masterplan, the council was in a better position to engage with major funding partners and progress sites as funding opportunities presented themselves.

The Canal Quarter could be broken down into 5 main phases/areas. A summary of the ongoing work, practical progress, and issues, against each phase was provided in the report with further detail in Appendix 2 to the report.

Councillor Wilkinson proposed, seconded by Councillor Dowding:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1) That the Canal Quarter Masterplan is submitted to Full Council for its consideration, approval, and adoption into the council’s corporate Policy Framework.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer Sustainable Growth

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision Is consistent with the Council’s priorities:

· Sustainable District: Refurbishment promotes climate resilience over demolition and new/build.

· Inclusive and Prosperous Local Economy: Refurbishment is aligned with the council’s regeneration, place-making, and sustainable economic development objectives.

· Healthy and Happy Communities: Re-use of a council heritage building is a stated community preference and contributes to well-being.

· A Co-Operative, Kind and Responsible Council: Promotes the council’s strategic goals more effectively than demolition/new build on current information.

The Canal Quarter Masterplan presents a coherent and clear statement on the council’s overarching development and delivery strategy for the future development of the area and promotes certainty around the preferred use of its own land and property assets. This will guide future officer resource, activity, and priorities and there can be confidence that the document reflects a balanced and considered view of the council’s aspirations as informed by extensive stakeholder / community consultation, and current corporate policy.

It is rarely the case a viable commercial investment case can be made without substantial grant aid, and this is a familiar experience for any public or private entity dealing with complex phased regeneration strategies. However, the approval of a masterplan is a significant step in realising future capital funding opportunities and will be an important pillar in negotiating with central government, other public bodies, commercial interests, and private investors.

Supporting documents: