To receive a presentation on the update of Bedlington Town Centre Redevelopment from Andrew Mowbray, Senior Project Manager, Advance Northumberland. Councillor Ploszaj, Portfolio Holder for Business and Rick O’Farrell, Interim Executive Director of Regeneration will also be in attendance
Minutes:
A power point presentation was provided by A Mowbray from Advance Northumberland, supported by the other officers from Advance Northumberland along with Councillor Ploszaj, Cabinet Member. Members were advised of the background to the redevelopment; details of the post covid timetable; the challenges which had been encountered, including delays caused by asbestos being found under two properties, difficulties separating the building from the adjoining Market Tavern, cost increases and the falling retail interest due to the pandemic. It was reported that Phase 1 was complete and details of Phase 2 and the progress made were provided.
Councillor Wilczek had asked that in her absence the following questions be asked:
“Earlier this year, marketing boards appeared near our town centre site advertising three significant “Development Opportunities”. It is a welcome though disappointing update for those of us eagerly awaiting some news on the site. Disappointing in that after more than seven years only Greggs and Aldi have taken the opportunities offered by the site.
What is the Council doing, not only to blindly market the site to those passing through central Bedlington, but to attract businesses to our town?
And given that local people have had no say in what they would like to see in the town for at least five years, what are we going to do to ensure this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to revitalise Bedlington is not lost to piecemeal investment that delivers for nobody?”
R O’Farrell, Interim Executive Director advised that a written response would be provided to Councillor Wilczek.
Councillors expressed their disappointment in the progress that had been made over the last 8 years and what was now being proposed with only four new retail units being provided on the frontage with only one being let to Greggs and the others remaining empty and the provision of six apartments. They questioned the proposals for the remaining areas which were previously to be developed. In response officers advised that initially there had been interest from retailers in the units, however this had changed following covid. Barker Proudlock continued to market the units and once confidence in the market started to build, it was hoped that the original interest would return. Aldi was the anchor store and it was hoped that this would help attract other retailers, however the retail sector had been particularly badly hit and all town centres were struggling. The planning application in 2015 had been retail led with some leisure and those opportunities were still being marketed however other development could also be looked at but no commitment could be given to further development until the market was known. An additional £2m Government funding had also been provided so the total investment was now £4.1m.
Councillors felt that development which had the backing of the community was required such as leisure facilities including a swimming pool, giving residents a reason to come into the town centre rather than the same retail offer available in Cramlington. It was commented that following the demolition of the facility at St Benet Biscop, the County Council should need to take a leading role in the provision of a pool rather than relying on the private sector.
In response to comments regarding the delays, officers clarified that the asbestos had been found underground so was in addition to that which was already known about and had previously been removed. Safe practices had been used when removing the asbestos from underground, although these were different to those previously used on site. Councillor Ploszaj advised that regular updates would be provided to West Bedlington Town Council in the future.