Issue - meetings

Report of the Interim Executive Director, Environment.

Report of the Interim Executive Director, Environment.

Members received a report of the Interim Executive Director, Environment which outlined Phase 1 of the project which involved S278 funded highway works to integrate the hotel development at 100 Minories into the City’s highway and Phase 2 of the project which involved public realm enhancements and the landscaping of Crescent.

The Chairman stated that a late public submission had been received and gave Members time to read it.

The Officer stated that there had been a delay in finalising the S278 agreement over several years and this had increased the costs. The costs had been reported to the hotel operator and the works could not proceed without payment. Any delays to the payment could result in further costs due to inflation.

The Officer stated that the design of the public realm enhancements had evolved following consultation and liaison with occupiers and TfL. She stated that TfL required 24 hour, 7 day a week access to their substation for the Circle and District Lines which was in Crescent and they had made comments on the design which Officers had worked to address. Officers had also worked with the Destination City team to accommodate more event activities. The team had advised that the ideal space for events and activities was 100 square metres. Officers had also worked with the relevant Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and had held a workshop to talk about possible events. She advised that Officers had held several meetings with the hotel and the hotel architects and had taken on board their comments, which had evolved over the consultation. The Officer stated that two options had been developed.

The Officer informed Members that the first option was similar to that approved in January 2023 by the Sub-Committee and the second option included more space for events. The Officer