17th October 1999

MID BEDFORDSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL

At a meeting of the PROPERTY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE held at The Limes, Dunstable Street, Ampthill on Thursday 7th October 1999.

K279 LOCAL CENTRE - PUBLIC OPEN SPACE AND BALANCING RESERVOIR, STRATTON. BIGGLESWADE

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The Management Team submitted a report which discussed the results of the public consultation exercise on the development of the local centre at Stratton, Biggleswade and sought the Committee's views with regard to future action in this respect. (Previous Minute No. J664 refers).

The Committee noted that the sum of £188,000 has been provided in the Capital Programme for archaeological works and the construction of the linear wood. All capital costs would ultimately be set off against the capital receipt for disposal of the site.

In receiving this report, the Committee expressed their appreciation to Stephen Clarke of the Estates Division, who had carried out the work in relation to this project.

A map showing the site had been circulated with the report, together with the public consultation document and results of the customer survey .

During consideration of the report, particular attention was made to the safety aspect of retaining the balancing pond. A letter received from Councillor B E Collier in this connection had previously been circulated to Members of the Committee. However, the Director of Finance reassured the Committee that during discussions and consultations on this project, particular consideration had been given to safety issues.

The Committee was accordingly invited to consider the following three options for the development of the site which had been identified from the results of the public consultations: -

(a) development of a convenience store with associated parking;

(b) a combined development of convenience store and health centre;

(c) a combined development providing convenience store, Health Centre and Community Centre.

RESOLVED

(1) That a Development Brief be produced for the Local Centre, Stratton, Biggleswade based upon Option (c) as set out in the report of the Management Team (or Option (b) if this is not feasible) and submitted for approval in due course.

(2) That wildlife habitat areas be provided for on land owned by the Council, compatible with the development.

(3) That the Council retains the balancing reservoir and Officers produce an effective and sensitive Management Programme.

(4) That Officers, in consultation with Wildlife Groups, produce a management plan for areas around the Saxon Pool, Local Centre and public open space at the Stratton Site, Biggleswade.

(5) That Bedfordshire County Council be approached to investigate the provision of wetlands areas within the proposed linear wood.