Agenda item

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment on the delivery of public realm enhancements in the area surrounding the new development at Bernard Morgan House. The Director of the Built Environment introduced the report and drew Members’ attention to the key points, confirming that Option 1 was the officer’s recommendation.

The Sub Committee felt that the outcome was disappointing but recognised that this stemmed from the original S106 agreement, and that the City of London Corporation had little course to rectify this.

However, Members reported the concerns of local residents raised during consultation like conflict between traffic and pedestrians and unsafe cycling and suggested that the City of London Corporation explore an additional scheme if the agreement could not be improved. Officers were asked to take a look at the area and assess how the environment could be made safer.

The Director of the Built Environment advised that extensive consultation had been undertaken, with feedback noted and actions arising from the consultation, but comments from Members would be taken on board and the area would be assessed in light of the concerns raised by residents.

RESOLVED – That the Streets & Walkways Sub Committee:

i)              Authorise officers to invoice the developer for £85,361 to undertake work to progress to Gateway 5 (see section 3 table 1 below), in advance of the full S278 payment to avoid delays to the programme. The amount would be deducted from the full S278 payment;

ii)             Approve Option 1 at a cost of up to £725,505, fully funded by a Section 278 agreement with Taylor Wimpy, the developer of Bernard Morgan House; and

iii)           Authorise officers to publish proposals in relation to any necessary traffic orders or other consents to implement the project as described in this report.

At this point Deputy Alastair Moss returned to the meeting.