Agenda item

Report of the Interim Executive Director, Environment.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Interim Executive Director, Environment which provided an update on recent activity and the next steps for Area B (the Western side of Moor Lane). The Officer stated that Area A (the Eastern side of Moor Lane) had already been agreed in July 2022 and work would start on Area A in October 2023.

An Officer stated that the report followed concerns raised by local resident representatives regarding design. The design which had been approved in May 2023 had an outstanding element relating to the greening aspects for the Rain Gardens, planters and the Clean Air Garden. The Officer advised that the recent representations were outside of the elements delegated in that approval and that the issues raised were contained within the Officer report. She stated that Officers had proposed to pause delivery and undertake a review of the design for the Western pavement and look at whether a change of traffic management in the Healthy Streets Neighbourhood Plan would offer a greater opportunity for additional greening and planting. It was also proposed that independent advice would be sought to review the proposals and feed into an overall design review. The Officer stated that the aim of the review was to establish if there were any other options that would allow taller trees or greater planting that would be deliverable, sustainable and maintainable in the longer term. This information would then be presented back to interested stakeholders at a stakeholder progress meeting and there would then be a report back to the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee in early 2024.

In response to a Member’s question, the Officer stated that the constraints of the street still remained, particularly regarding London Underground and the requirement for access to the car park and 21 Moorfields.

The Chairman asked if Officers were fully aware of any limitations under the ground. An Officer stated that Officers were confident that the exact location of the Underground structure was known and Officers were aware of the limitations of very shallow depths. She advised that extra trial holes in the Clean Air Garden on the Barbican Estate land had identified a ramp. The Officer stated that if there was an opportunity to extend the footway further, some additional trial holes could be required at each end but it was unlikely that any further trial holes would be required in the middle section where the Underground structure was located.

A Member stated that the amount of planting seemed to have decreased and there was more pavement in the latest versions of the proposal. She stated that residents understood the constraints of the site in terms of depth but it was important to define the streetscape constraints e.g. the required widths of the pavement and road to improve understanding of why certain ideas were impossible or possible. The Member commented that trees had been promised and although there were constraints about the type of trees, there should be a clear understanding of the height that plants could grow to. She stated that whilst it was acknowledged that mature plane trees could not be planted, some bushy trees and an abundance of planting would help address concerns. She stated that although residents would be disappointed in a delay, this could mean the design was future-proofed. She also stated that residents had been in discussions with the Culture Mile Business Improvement District about the possibility of additional funding to spend in the area as it was a through-route and was part of Moorgate Crossrail and she suggested that linkages should be looked at when considering public realm. The Member suggested that if the current road closure was moved along the road, the road could be divided into two as there were only five entrances in the whole street that required servicing.

The Member also stated that residents were clear that the report did not say that residents wanted to keep the Clean Air Garden (Pot Garden). They wanted the project to feel like a scheme rather than a continuation of this garden. She advised that although there was a Barbican interest in the garden, it was being looked after by people who did not live there.

A Member stated that the Clean Air Garden was intended to be temporary, and the materials chosen reflected that. He considered that there should be a uniform garden along Moor Lane. Although there were very few places a tree could be planted, it might be possible to include one in the Clean Air Garden. The Member stated there were divergent views and many residents felt their voices were not being heard. He further stated that open consultation with people in the area would help to address this and their views should be recorded and considered. The Member stated that originally, green walls that were not attached to the building, were considered and he was unclear why this was no longer possible.

The Chairman stated that although engagement with local stakeholders would lead to further delays, it was key and it was important to have a decisive majority in favour of the outcome. He also stated that there were constraints of the site and expectations had to be managed.

In response to a Member’s query about the ramp, an Officer stated that it was her understanding that this was an old car park ramp. A Member stated that it was underground connection between estate and buildings there and was still used for utilities.

In response to a Member’s question about whether there was a time limit to the funding, the Officer stated that under S106 each agreement was different and there was usually a time limit. She advised that Cool Streets and Greening funds had to be spent by 2025.

A Member commented on the presumption that the road had to be 6 metres wide to have two-way traffic as there were other places in the City with roads less than 6m where chicanes and priority signs were used. An Officer stated that potential options for traffic management would be considered as part of the design review. He advised that they might need to be phased into improvements as they would be unfunded and any traffic management changes would be undertaken as part of the Healthy Neighbourhood Plan. The Chairman commented that if there was agreement on an endpoint which was not immediately affordable, the project could be split into phases for delivery.

An Officer stated that it was important to look at opportunities to future-proof the scheme as streets changed over time. He advised that the Healthy Neighbourhoods agenda might look at the way in which traffic could be managed across the whole area and this might provide alternatives. He stated that the proposal put forward 10 years ago was more ambitious than could be delivered and it was understandable that residents were disappointed this could not be delivered. He further stated that the way the division was now structured meant this would not happen with future schemes. The Officer advised that Officers were committed to continue the engagement on this scheme. He informed Members that the City had some of the best expertise in planting and garden maintenance with the City’s microclimate and there was confidence that the Gardens Team would help to deliver the best deliverable, sustainable and maintainable scheme given the constraints. He advised that climate resilient planting would be included.

The Officer stated that following a visit to the Clean Air Garden, there would be a wider meeting to consider the options. In response to a question as to who would be consulted, Officers stated that Members of the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee, ward Members, stakeholders who had written in, such as residents of Willoughby House, Heron House, the Barbican Association and Friends of City Gardens would be consulted. The Officer stated that if Members had any further suggestions of people to invite to the site visit and progress meeting, these could be added to the list of invitees. The Officer informed Members that after the meeting, Officers would then make recommendations to the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee to consider.

In response to a Member’s question about whether the Gardens Team should offer a consulting service to residents and businesses in relation to plants that should be planted for the City’s microclimate, an Officer stated that discussions had been taking place with planning colleagues to ensure that there were resources available to provide the expertise within the Corporation.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.