Agenda item

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of the Built Environment regarding an options appraisal and authority to start work at Heron Plaza.

RESOLVED – That,

i)         Option 3 be supported which required the:

·        Houndsditch carriageway to be surfaced in granite for aesthetics; and.

·        The area entering the new vehicle service entrance to also be surfaced in granite for aesthetic reasons.

N.B: Option 3 provides the most benefits when assessed against economic, social/cultural and environmental sustainability subject to the inclusion of the maintenance costs being funded by the developer (providing greater economic sustainability for the City) and the granite being locally sourced (providing a better environmental sustainability outcome). The granite carriageway in option 3 provides a higher aesthetic appeal (social/cultural sustainability) and therefore sets this option as the preferred option under this assessment method (the same method as was used in the Review of Materials in December 2010).

This option:

·        is strongly preferred by the developer;

·        reflects a previously agreed decision by Members (albeit prior to the Review of Materials in December 2010);

·        will best reflect the high quality nature of the development; and

·        will have negligible impact on traffic during construction and maintenance (see street works implications in paragraph 10).

ii)        that the surface of the Houndsditch carriageway, between Outwich Street and Bishopsgate, be constructed at the same level as the footways (Option A in paragraph 10). This will create an environment that allows easy movement for the high number of people that will cross Houndsditch informally.

iii)      a Section 8 agreement (S.8) be signed with Transport for London (TfL) permitting the City to implement the works on Bishopsgate, part of the Transport for London Road Network.

iv)      Prior to signing the S.278 agreement the following funds be required from the developer:

·        The remainder of the evaluation and design payment (£44,704)

·        The deferred improvement works payments (£80,000 per year since summer 2011)

v)       the S.278 agreement be finalised (based on the approved option) and signed. Signing the agreement will remove one of the conditions necessary for the developer to commence construction. The S.278 agreement will include a statement that the City and TfL have a S.8 agreement in place.

vi)      proposed changes to traffic orders (Houndsditch) be advertised for public consultation. If objections are received, this will be reported to Members for decision through an issues report.

vii)     the approved option for materials and carriageway surface level be progressed into detailed design drawings and a new cost estimate will be undertaken prior to the requesting of the implementation funds from the developer.