(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)
Cabinet received a report from
the Head of Regeneration and
Policy to review the Cabinet decision of 6 December 2009
with regard to keeping all existing trees within Market Square
(minute 95, 1) refers.
The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:
|
Option |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
|
Option 1: Further adjust the proposed design layout by siting the “platform” further into the square and reducing the area of the “carpet” at the eastern end |
Works can go ahead
Keeps all existing trees in the square as per the previous Cabinet decision. |
A compromised layout that restricts space for a better market layout and constrains suitability for staging events
|
|
Option 2: Authorise removal of tree D and implement the design improvements planned |
Works can go ahead to improve the central part of the square consistent with the design presented to Cabinet in December 2009. Therefore gives significant improvements and potentials for multiple and flexible use of the square, for seating and passive recreation and for the market and staging events. |
Loss of tree D. Removal of the single tree makes the number of trees on the north and south sides of the square unbalanced and asymmetrical. |
|
Option 3: Authorise removal of both tree D and tree H |
As for option 2 but removal of tree H at the same time will also -
optimise the effectiveness of the new lighting scheme in this corner of the square that presently attracts anti-social activity;
open up the opportunity for street café use in this corner of the Square as per the Gillespie’s design ambition
reveal Anchor Lane better mean there are three trees at both sides of the Square |
Loss of trees D and H
|
|
Option 4: Undertake a more fundamental review |
None |
The project now proposed is devised after extensive consultations and review will unravel that consensus achieved to date. Would make abortive much of the time and cost inputs to date. Would involve significant time delay and new costs in design and additional consultation for which there is no financing. |
Option 1 had disadvantages that compromised and restricted how Market Square could be used for different uses. These could be read as risks also. Options 2 and 3 had no risks. Option 4 gave high risk that the council could not begin to improve the square at a difficult economic time when the improvement should help support and sustain the city centre.
Option 1 adhered to the previous Cabinet decision but would mean that the re- design of the square was less accommodating and beneficial for the outdoor market than it should be, was restricting for the staging of events and less advantageous for general pedestrian circulation and enjoyment than it should be. Options 2 and 3 involved tree loss but enabled the adjusted project design to be implemented largely as planned. Option 3 was the preferred officer option and had significant additional advantages including helping design out anti social behaviours and conferring increased flexibility for the use of this corner of the Square.
Councillor Hanson proposed, seconded by Councillor Bryning:-
“That Cabinet authorise officers to implement the first phase works in Market Square as per option 3 as set out in the report.”
By way of amendment, Councillor Barry proposed and Councillor Smith seconded:-
Councillors then voted on the amendment:-
(6 Members (Councillors Barry, Blamire, Bryning, Leytham, Sands and Smith) voted in favour, and 1 Member (Councillors Hanson) abstained.)
Members then voted on the substantive motion:-
Resolved:
That Cabinet authorise officers to implement the first phase works in Market Square and that Tree D be removed and replanted following the completion of the works, that Tree H is not removed at this stage and that tree maintenance be continued to raise the crown of the trees.
Officers responsible for effecting the decision:
Head of Regeneration and Policy
Reasons for making the decision:
The 2010-2011 Corporate Plan identifies Square Routes under the Economic Regeneration Priority, and Lancaster Square Routes is listed as one of the actions under “Visitor Economy”. The indicators for success in implementing the plan include if: the number of visitors to the district is increased and improved; the profile of the district as a visitor destination is improved; the retail offer and built environment in the city centre is improved; the economic impact of festivals and events is improved and an improved future for the district’s museums is improved. The project contributes to all these. In addition, its importance is clearly identified in the draft new Lancaster District Cultural Heritage Strategy. The project is identified as the critical project in the strategy’s action plan.
As part of the Lancaster Square Routes initiative, a first phase of improvements for Market Square was being readied for implementation this autumn. The temporary removal of tree D was necessary to provide sufficient clearance for service and other vehicles to travel on Market Street at all times and to meet highway standards in terms of access and lighting. This decision will enable works to be undertaken to enable the benefits of implementation to be achieved in time for the Christmas period. Given the general economic situation this period is especially critical this year. The decision not to remove Tree H at this stage could be revisited once the works were complete.