Foreword

I have great pleasure in submitting an application for the Neighbourhood Planning Vanguards scheme on behalf of the Fish Quay Heritage Partnership.

The community of the Fish Quay has a strong and successful history of taking a pro- active approach within partnerships to regeneration their area. The community’s passion and commitment to their area has brought about great improvements to the Fish Quay and I am confident that they will continue to thrive and bring about further positive change if given the opportunity to participate in their Neighbourhood Planning Vanguards scheme. Indeed at the recent Partnership meeting I was impressed by the solid commitment given by the group to this emerging model of planning neighbourhoods.

I look forward to the prospect of being part of this exciting new planning regime.

Linda Arkley, Elected Mayor of Quadrant The Silverlink North Cobalt Business Park North Tyneside NE27 0BY

Application

North Tyneside Council have pleasure in submitting this application for Neighbourhood Planning Vanguard status. It will produce a revised Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for the Fish Quay Conservation Area , prepared by the community living, working, visiting and developing in that area. (http://www.northtyneside.gov.uk/pls/portal/NTC_PSCM.PSCM_Web.download?p_ID=224101 ).

North Tyneside Council, will as far as practicable commit to:

• working closely with the community group to enable the group to prepare a draft SPD

• providing the community group with reasonable guidance and technical assistance to facilitate plan preparation

• appointing a suitably qualified professional to undertake an independent facilitation of the revised SPD. An SPD, unlike a development plan document, will not require examination in public. However, we believe that independent facilitation will meet the requirements of the scheme.

The principle focus of the work, led and undertaken by the community will be targeted on the area highlighted below. However, as the plan evolves and if the focus area requires amendment, this will be reflected in the published document.

North Shields Fish Quay

The Fish Quay is in the borough of North Tyneside, a metropolitan district within the county of in the north east of . It covers a historically important river frontage near the mouth of the Tyne where the natural and built environments combine to create an area of unique character and appearance.

The Fish Quay area has a long and interesting history. The original settlement, founded in 1225 as a small fishing village, grew into a popular port and industrial area. During the third Dutch War, the strategic importance of the area was recognised and Clifford’s Fort was built in 1672.

However, in the 20 th century, the area’s traditional industries declined due to the constrained sites’ inability to house expanding business. A reduction in North Sea Fish stocks saw the decline of the fishing industry and ancillary industries in the area. This situation led North Tyneside Council to undertake several initiatives to aid the area’s regeneration, first commissioning a regeneration strategy and master plan (2001), which catalysed interest by the community and subsequently led to the creation of the interest group Folk Interested in Shields Harbour (FISH). The Regeneration Strategy recommended various actions including the designation of Fish Quay as a conservation area, and a range of economic and conservation led capital projects. A Fish Quay Heritage Partnership (FQHP) was established in 2005 to steer an English Heritage Partnership Scheme (EHPS), followed by a Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) scheme 2007-12.

The Fish Quay is a rugged, hardworking area with commercial activity amongst the setting of a number of historic structures. Its atmosphere is conveyed not only by the sights, but also by the smells of the sea, the restaurants, and the sounds of boat engines and gulls. It is a working quay, but with many non-fishing-related industries now choosing the characterful Fish Quay as their base. As the employment base diversifies residential and leisure uses are increasing.

The history of the area, evident through much of its built environment, is reflected in the high number of buildings that are either listed (eleven) or locally registered (seven). Clifford’s Fort is a scheduled ancient monument.

The Fish Quay is a priority focus for the Council. The scale of issues, in terms of the decline of the fishing industry, redundant buildings, and the need to have regard to conservation, has meant that this was anticipated to be a long term (10-15 year) project. To date, the Council with other public and private sector partners and with community engagement have spent £20 million successfully bringing forward physical regeneration projects such as the following:

Rebuilding of Western Quay – a major berthing structure vital to sustaining the remaining elements of the fishing industry.

Heritage Lottery Fund Townscape Heritage Iniative –funding for public realm, reinstatement of historic buildings and bringing vacant floorspace back into use such as the Irvin building illustrated. It was once a chandlery, workshop, stores and offices servicing the fishing industry but has now been converted to 26 apartments

English Heritage Conservation Area Partnership Scheme – Property based grants scheme. Illustrated – Former Barracks Building, Cliffords Fort, concersion and extension to office accommodation

New Food Park – to enable the demolition of fish processing units which no longer met EU standards

Working Above Shops Project – bringing vacant floor space above the parade of shops on Union Quay back into use as offices

Vita House – Conversion of former fish processing unit to office and workshop space for small and medium size enterprises

Smokehouses – Conversion of former smokehouses in Cliffords Fort to office accommodation

Bre kkies Sea defence – Extension of promenade wall and path which doubles up as a flood defence.

Toilet – provision of new award winning toilets for the many public visitors to the Fish Quay

Extension of Bre kkies car park to ease on-street parking pressures.

Demolition of unsympathetic buildings abutting or adjacent to the Clifford’s Fort Ancient Monument . Illustrated – former Crescent fish processing units

Interpretation Boards

Work to regenerate the area is still ongoing but there remains a clear determination to complete the task, with developers keen to work collaboratively with the Council and the local community to achieve the final pieces in the Fish Quay regeneration jigsaw. Public sector funding will be limited and future initiatives will have to largely be privately financed. This proposal looks to embrace the emerging Localism agenda and stimulate local growth. And so on the 8 th February 2010 the FQHP meeting (appendix 1) committed themselves to the production of a revised Supplementary Planning Document. This would be adopted by the Elected Mayor and her Cabinet as a Neighbourhood Plan and play a fundamental part of the planning framework for the neighbourhood in the forthcoming years. It will give certainty to all members of the community including landowners and developers about how they can be involved in the management and development of the Fish Quay. This certainty and inclusivity will give added confidence in the future which will benefit the Fish Quay neighbourhood and the wider North Shields area.

Strength and Experience of Community

The Fish Quay has an impressive track record of successful, pro-active community involvement and “The community at Fish Quay is a partnership in managing and enhancing the area. strong, vocal crowd and they’ve never been shy in speaking their The Design Know-How Project ran from November 2003 to March 2004. Facilitated by the North of minds about they want and don’t England Civic Trust and Northern Architecture, a team want when new development came together consisting of members of local group opportunities arise in this FISH, officers from the Council’s Regeneration, characterful area. Some of these Planning and Conservation teams, design development sites have been professionals from local and national businesses around for a long time - as have the (Glass Arc, FaulknerBrowns and Llewellyn Davies), a rumours about their future - so it freelance artist and several other local residents and would be ideal if local people could business people.

help finally decide what happens to

them, in a truly hands-on, The project involved local people and designers collaborative way. There’s an on- working going debate at the Quay about the together to future direction of land use and understand the Leftbank Developments Ltd. have planning there, and it’ll be area and learn been closely involved with the Fish about basic fascinating to see just how that Quay at North Shields for over 10 pans out when developers, local urban and building design years and so know very well the people and the Council get round principles. challenges it poses. In that time a the table to hammer out a future During the significant amount of progress has plan. This could be an important project, some been made. However, today, more opportunity for the community at of the team, than ever, the Fish Quay needs a Fish Quay and I really hope local including a concerted effort to complete the people will get involved.” member of transformation of some of the final FISH, attended and most important derelict and Jules Brown, Chair of FQHP and a ‘Good disused sites. With a community led North of England Civic Trust Practice in Neighbourhood Plan, this can be Planning Co -Ordinator Local Design’ seminar, which brought about, balancing the added to their desires and needs of all involved understanding and is very much supported by of the issues at hand. This resulted in the publication of Leftbank Developments Ltd. Design Know-How , a guidance document aiming to help influence the shape of future developments in the area Tim Wynn , Leftbank (http://www.northtyneside.gov.uk/pls/portal/NTC_PSCM.PS Developments CM_Web.download?p_ID=512098 )

The FQHP continue to meet on a bi-monthly basis and as well as steering funding schemes, they have a wider role in the heritage-led regeneration of the area, including being consulted on and involved in the formulation of proposals for the area. The FQHP has representatives from the Council, local businesses, local residents, the North of England Civic Trust, FISH, Priors Action Group (amenity group interested in the natural environment and biodiversity of the area) and the Elected Mayor. A newsletter is published on a regular basis and distributed to every property within the conservation area boundary (http://www.northtyneside.gov.uk/pls/portal/NTC_PSC M.PSCM_Web.download?p_ID=224064 ) “The Committee of FISH [Folk Interested in Shields Harbour] welcomes the initiative of North The New Quay & Fish Quay Conservation Areas, Shields Fish Quay Heritage FISHcast Community Character Statement is a character appraisal for the Fish Quay conservation Partnership in making a bid to the area (and neighbouring New Quay conservation Big Society and gives full support. area). The document was prepared by FISHcast, a Since the inception of the sub-group of FISH, along with help, support and Partnership, FISH representatives contributions from local businesses, the North of have appreciated the opportunity England Civic Trust, North Tyneside Council officers to be members……….We are and local schools. It sets out what gives the areas’ passionately committed to our their special interest, including an account of local stated objectives, which are briefly: history, community’s views, character of buildings, - progress of appropriate business and the contribution of spaces. It was adopted as an informal statement of planning policy by North and residential developments, and Tyneside Council in May 2006. Subsequently it was the preservation and improvement awarded a commendation at the 2006 European of historical features, for the Union Prize for Cultural Heritage Awards benefit the whole community... We (http://www.northtyneside.gov.uk/pls/portal/NTC_PSC of FISH know that if the Fish Quay M.PSCM_Web.download?p_ID=224047 ) Heritage Partnership’s bid is successful, improvements will be made that will be truly appreciated Income Levels Across the Community

and will be of lasting value to the The Office of National Statistics, for the period April continued growth of this much- 2007 to March 2008, report that the estimated loved and unique locality.” average weekly household total income is £600 for the Middle Layer Super Output Area North Tyneside Dorothy Brownlee, Hon Secretary 016, which is slightly higher than the average for the FISH North East region (£550). The area has a multiple deprivation score of 38.19. This level is as a result of investment and regeneration of the local area demonstrating the success of initiatives so far. http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=292929&c= NE30+1JA&d=141&g=368721&i=1001x1003x1006&k=income&m=0&r=0&s=1297350145029&enc =1&domainId=46&dsFamilyId=1893

Planning Context

North Tyneside’s Unitary Development Plan (March 2002) is the current development plan in force for the borough ( http://www.northtyneside.gov.uk/browse.shtml?p_subjectCategory=775 ) and this is supplemented by a range of SPDs including the Fish Quay & New Quay Conservation Areas Management Strategy SPD adopted by the Council in 2007 (http://www.northtyneside.gov.uk/pls/portal/NTC_P SCM.PSCM_Web.download?p_ID=512140 ). This SPD is informed by the community led character appraisal referenced earlier.

North Tyneside was awarded Housing Growth Point (HGP) status in 2008 as an area willing and able to accommodate growth.

The land within the Fish Quay is currently allocated for employment purposes, however the plan provides for maximum flexibility for opportunities for economic regeneration through policy LE1/4.

LE1/4 THE LOCAL PLANNING AUTHORITY WILL SEEK TO ENSURE THAT THE PHYSICAL BAS E OF THE LOCAL ECONOMY IS MAINTAINED AND PROTECTED. AREAS SHOWN ON THE PROPOSALS MAP AS CURRENTLY USED FOR USE CLASSES B1, B2, OR B8, OR ALLOCATED FOR THESE PURPOSES UNDER PROPOSALS LE1/1, AND LE1/3 OF THE PLAN, WILL BE PROTECTED FROM CHANGE OF USE TO OTHE R PURPOSES, EXCEPT WHERE ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES CAN BE CLEARLY SHOWN: (I) THE PROPOSAL IS ESSENTIAL TO THE COUNCIL'S AIM OF ENCOURAGING THE REGENERATION OF ITS OLDER URBAN AREAS, (II) THERE IS NO REASONABLE EXPECTATION OF A SITE BE ING USED FOR THE PURPOSE ALLOCATED, AND THE BENEFITS OF ITS ALTERNATIVE USE IN RELATION TO THE OTHER OBJECTIVES OF THE PLAN HAVE BEEN DEMONSTRATED, (III) THE EXISTING USE DOES NOT CONFORM WITH, AND HAS HAD AN ADVERSE IMPACT ON, NEIGHBOURING USES.

Policy LE1/4 allows the change of use of employment land to other purposes where this is shown to be desirable in exceptional circumstances; for example to facilitate the relocation of a poorly sited local enterprise (such as the fish processing units) , or in circumsta nces where an industrial or commercial use has been demonstrated to have an excessively adverse impact on neighbouring uses by virtue of noise, smell, traffic movement or some other factor. Where the opportunity arises, such a use might be better terminate d, and re-located to a site more appropriate for the purpose. Replacement by a more acceptable use could thereby be facilitated, to satisfy the need for housing, for example.

The North Tyneside Employment Land Review (September 2009) (http://www.northtyneside.gov.uk/pls/po rtal/NTC_PSCM.PSCM_Web.downloa d?p_ID=515195 ) identifies a surplus of some 45 hectares of employment land within the borough . The emerging Core Strategy sets out a range of preferred options (http://northtyneside- consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/cs_pref erred_options_consult?tab =files ) and does not, because of its scale and recent initiatives , identify Fish Quay as a key strategic employment area . Redevelopment of exisitng employment land for other uses would ultimately be considered similar to criteria such as the exisitng UDP policy.

The revised SPD would be linked to existing policy and transitional arrangements would be put in place upon the a doption of the Core Strategy currently scheduled for January 2013 .

Document to be Produced

The document to be produced will be a revised version of the Fish Quay & New Quay Conservation Areas Management Strategy SPD . It currently aims to guide development, regeneration and management in the two conservation areas for the five to 10 years following its adoption. Under various topics, the document sets out context, current positions, issues, management actions and implementations. The SPD was informed by the New Quay & Fish Quay Conservation Areas, FISHcast Community Character Statement and the Design Know-How document, both of which were developed by the local community.

Owing to the complex nature of the area, and the comprehensive way in which its issues are dealt with within the document, the SPD is 164 pages long (including appendices). However, we are part way through the journey to regenerating the area, delivering some objectives and are clear about what we need to do next, to complete the process. The SPD is due to be reviewed every five years in order to keep the Management Strategy up to date and relevant. The reviewed document is likely to be smaller as we continue to deliver projects and resolve issues.

Within the SPD there are several identified opportunity sites that are available for development. The aim of reviewing the document in a community-led way, drawing guidance and incorporating information from Design Know-How , is to provide a clear framework to how these sites can be regenerated to further improve growth in this interesting and exciting area. The document will have a focus on design and deliverability so that it can produce and facilitate collaborative agreement and thus ensure developers and investors can be assured that a planning application submitted in accordance with this framework can be delivered through Planning Committee, and be implemented.

It is proposed to introduce an independent facilitator to help guide the community group . We believe that we will gain greater value for money by supporting the Partnership in preparing the document and ensuring that the statutory consultation (required by the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) 2004 (as amended)) engages with all sectors of the community. A local referendum in the area would not reach businesses, visitors, landowners, and developers and as such would not engage with its ‘neighbourhood’.

Deliverability and Timescales

Given that there is already an active and constituted group in place, the process of preparing the revised SPD would be able to get underway immediately the grant is approved . Assuming a 6 week period of consideration of applications for Vanguard status, a draft project plan is provided below.

Inception Meeting with Partnership and approval of independent and suitably April 2011 qualified facilitator May –August Series of Workshops reappraising existing evidence and undertake site analyses 2011 September - December Prepare draft SPD 2011 Consultation and drop in sessions for draft in accordance with Regulation 17 in of January 2012 the 2004 Regulations February - Revision process following consultation feedback March 2012 Adoption by North Tyneside’s Cabinet in accordance with Regulation 19 of the April 2012 2004 Regulations

Council Resources

North Tyneside Council has identified two members of staff initially to provide assistance to the Partnership and to co-ordinate compliance with the consultation requirements of the 2004 Regulations. These are:

Graham Sword, Principal Planning Officer: Tel: 0191 6436340; and Laura Hewitt , Planning Policy Assistant: Tel: 0191 6436310

This could be supplemented by members of the Council’s Regeneration team as the plan progresses to consultation. However, the independent facilitator will provide much of the assistance so that it is truly a community led plan.

The Council also have funding available in the shape of HGP capital, which could be used to reduce the risk of developing sites within this area. HGP Funding has already been used to undertake a ground investigation study of one of the potential development areas which had been used intensively for a variety of industrial processes.

Conclusion

We believe that we have all of the necessary ‘community infrastructure ‘ in place to deliver a Neighbourhood Plan Vanguard Scheme. The area is wonderfully diverse and needs that final push to complete the regeneration process, which the Plan. together with its certainty and commitment, would bring. Neighbourhood Plan proposals are an opportunity to make the system fit to meet the challenges of the 21 st century, moving towards a system with participation and involvement at its heart, enabling a mature debate at a local level. The Fish Quay Partnership are committed to undertaking this project , the partners involved have proven themselves in the past, giving you the certainty that a pioneering Vanguard Scheme will be delivered that will push the boundaries of what can be achieved, and the opportunity for others to learn from this collaborative approach.

Appendix 1 Fish Quay Heritage Partnership Meeting

Draft Minutes : 8th February 2011

Fishermen’s Mission, Fish Quay

Members Present: Sid Cullen, Debbie Read, Christian Cerisola, Geoff Gunton, Bill Stephenson, Jules Brown, Tom Douthwaite, Henry Amos, Linda Arkley

Observers: Kevin Muldoon - Smith, Claire Heron, Jane Alison, Graham Sword ,Sue Brooks, Tim Wyne, Jeremy Pritchard, Alex Johnson, Judith Douthwaite, Stuart Brook.

1 Apologies

Dorothy Brownlee, Phil South

2 Notes of previous meeting and matters arising

Minutes of the previous meeting were accepted

3 Neighbourhood Planning

Graham Sword presented a short paper detailing the Coalition Neighbourhood Vanguard scheme which has been introduced in advance of the new statutory provisions for neighbourhood planning being passed through the Localism Bill. The vanguard areas will be pioneers of this process giving insight and demonstrating how neighbourhood planning will work in practice. Crucial in this process is a community group that is willing to take forward the proposals and take ownership of its development.

Officers present explained that this could be a very good opportunity for the unique Fish Quay community. There is still progress to be made at Fish Quay in balancing the needs of residents, traditional industry, new business and visitors.

Those in attendance including, residents, business representatives, landowners and members of the public all agreed this was a good opportunity for the area and agreed to take part in the project.

General discussion of the Neighbourhood Planning Vanguard raised a number of issues

• How will the Fish Quay area be defined? How will this impact on the success of the project • Will there be enough time to successfully implement the project • Will this just be ‘another’ government initiative

After discussion, the general consensus was that the neighbourhood planning project should focus in on something specific in the area that can be forensically examined such as in and around the harbour, rather than the wider scale which could lead to dilution. It was explained by officers present that the deadline for submission of project proposal was relatively soon but if successful there will be substantially more time afterward to fully explore the potential of the neighbourhood planning process, alongside Council Officer support and dedicated facilitation provision.

Officers present explained that the Fish Quay area has an impressive pedigree in neighbourhood planning initiatives which have involved the community in the past such as the Fishcast Community Character Statement, Design Knowhow guidance and this Partnership and it’s regular Newsletters, which have led to projects being implemented on the Quay. With the elected Mayor in attendance and giving her full support to the project it will have support from the Council and be integrated into statutory planning guidance as a Supplementary Planning Document.. The project gives the community opportunity to shape the future direction of the Fish Quay as it works with various interests to bring forward further progress

Residents and private landowners both agreed that it is crucial to work together in improving the Fish Quay area. All agreeing that the Neighbourhood Planning Vanguard opportunity presents a powerful opportunity to take ownership of future development at North Shields Fish Quay.

4 THI Update

Irvin Latest sales figures from Gentoo are that 10 units have been sold, 3 reserved and 10 let out. There are 3 unsold.

17 Union Quay Ian has contacted the agent for this building reminding him of the need to provide the necessary quotes and conservation deficit appraisal to support the application. Ian has further reminded the agent that the Fish Quay THI is now in its final full year and must end in April 2012. Given the need to get the quotes and appraisal into an acceptable format plus the construction phase that year will quickly elapse.

1 Tanners Bank, former MB Circuits

A grant of £132069 has been offered on 17 December and work on the project has been commenced. On instruction the applicant has erected Heritage Lottery signs. NTC signs will go up when they are supplied, Kevin Muldoon Smith is organising this for the Council.

A first claim for part release of grant has been submitted and is currently under consideration. An authorisation for part payment of £9300 has been sent to Payments Section.

3 Tanners Bank

New THI application: Whereas we would prefer to have a comprehensive scheme for the whole building come forward it appears no.3 has been re-roofed and new windows added relatively recently. As a consequence the owner does not wish to undo this work. However, they propose to replace the existing doors on the building like for like in timber save that the metal cladding will be moved to the inside of the doors. This will have a modest but positive effect. Cost estimate is £4115 which at 65% grant rate would require £2675 from the pooled fund.

Members agreed to support the application. A request was made that a summary table be presented to the next Partnership meeting highlighting how much of the common THI fund has been spent and committed and how much remains. Ian to follow up at next Partnership meeting.

Digitax Ian and Peter Derham (Historic Buildings Officer) met with the owner and her architect (John Curtis - Napper) on site on 28 January 2011. The proposal remains to carry out repairs and improve the appearance of the front building and to bring the redundant smokehouse at the rear back into use to allow the business to expand. As this is property development rather than simply building repair HLF guidance requires that we carry out a conservation deficit appraisal as at 1 Tanners Bank. This means the potential applicant carries out the early stages of the project “at risk” but may be able to recover certain costs such as professional fees if the scheme goes live on site. Some early discussion points include;

• Roof is currently cement tiles in good order constructed in the last decade – owner reluctant to replace this for aesthetic reasons only as it adds to expense. Can this be retained or must it be replaced with roof to a conservation standard? • Applicant proposes feasibility study – will HLF recognise this as an eligible cost if the scheme goes live on site? • Removal of security measures to inside doors and windows but building must remain secure • Address signage issues • Repair render and possibly repaint a more sympathetic colour • Rear smokehouse building will require windows and basic fit out to use as office The architect has also requested that if any Partnerships members have any old photographs of the area, could he borrow them in order to help inform his proposal. The Council will look at it’s archive and the Mayor suggested that a request be put on to the Council’s web site.

Old Maltings When we met in November there were 2 issues – whether we should use pantiles or slate and then the likely cost.

Ian has discussed the material with Peter Derham. He initially thought a building of this age would have originally had pantiles. However, he then qualified this by saying tiles would show in a steeper pitch. Looking at what remains of the gables the pitch does not look particularly steep. A lower section of the building has slate now. The list description is slate. Conservation architect Ian Ness proposed re-roofing in slate.

Assuming slate for this exercise Ian Ness has an estimate of £27760 (2006 prices). Looking at real prices for 1 Tanners Bank (where we also need a new slate roof) prices have come in at £66645. The two building footprints aren’t wildly different and 1 Tanners Bank is a simpler roof shape. I therefore suspect the Ian Ness estimate will be significantly low, particularly if we add in the special requirements we may add as a listed building.

Consequently If we are able to offer a grant at 75% I estimate the costs to the pooled fund will be in the order of £35,000.

5 Works update

Demolitions

Demolition of redundant fish processing units is complete and the site has been made good. There are some drainage issues due to heavy recent rain. The original floor slab remains as a thorough utility investigation needs to be made underneath. The surface has been broken in places to aid drainage and it is envisioned that once grass establishes it self drainage issues will subside.

Western Quay Western Quay is now open to the public with some small works still taking place due to weather based delays. All in attendance agreed that reopening of Western Quay has improved the area.

Banksides

Finishing touches are being made to Bankside Management strategy such as incorporating strategic views which will help balance the various interests in the area. Physical works are planned for the next two months in the area and should demonstrate improvement. The chair of the Heritage Partnership states that the partnership has been waiting for some time for site of management plan. All efforts will be made to bring plan to next formal partnership.

Tyne brand Site

Negotiations continue with key landowners and interested parties in the area with real progress being made. The presence of Leftbank Developments at the partnership demonstrates the commitment of private landowners to work with other interested parties in the area to continue Fish Quay improvement.

Clifford's Fort

Final prices and site pre – lims are being price evaluated and will be complete soon. The final fish processing unit on the fort is relocating into another NTC unit in the area. Recent press exposure indicting that Frank Rounds have been successful in obtaining European Fisheries Funding to part fund their relocation. Fit out of new unit is expected to take in the region of two months, this is already on going. Asbestos surveys will be carried after vacation of unit, expected to take 1 month. Physical works on site will then commence later in the year.

Fish Quay Interpretation

Interpretation boards are complete and on site. Final boards will now be installed following reopening of Western Quay. Any latent defects will also be remedied at this time

Old Low Light

Negotiations continue with the building tenant, a building preservation trust. Currently NTC and Buttress interests are being valued to help facilitate the best way of bringing the building forward for development. NTC Corporate Property Team are working with the tenant agents to conclude these negotiations in a timely manner.

6 Planning update

Planning applications pending Lighthouse, Low Lights – Detached garage extension

10/00101/LBC & 10/00109/FULHI met Stephen Morse on 4 January 2011 with Cllr Lott and Highways Officers. Land ownership issue that had stalled progress on the applications now appears to be nearing resolution.

Lilley and Gillie

10/03222/CON Demolition of existing office and storage units and retention of the historic building in the North West corner of the site.

NB – this is an application to demolish the existing buildings and should be considered with the planning application approved – see below.

Wall adjacent to St Peter’s Stairs, Yeoman Street

10/03268/LAREG3 Proposed hard and soft landscape works associated with public realm improvements 1 Tanners Bank

10/03126/COND Fulfilment of conditions 3-8 and 10-23 of 08/02400/FUL

Planning applications decided Lilley and Gillie – 11 dwellings

10/01326/FUL This approval was formally issued on 28 January 2011

Irvin Building – new signage

10/03069/LBC Consent issued to permit the removal of the shop front signage reading “Richard Irvin and Sons Ltd” and to replace it with “Irvin’s Brasserie”

7 Any other business

Following comments at the previous partnership regarding the state of bin facilities on the Quay, KMS stated that there were two issues needing separate solutions in a coordinated manner. The general waste bins on the quay are the managed by NTC. These have been replaced in the last couple of months and are emptied daily, this is proving successful. The other bins on the quay are provided by private companies for individual businesses, generally SITA. Miss use of these resources is being tackled via coordinated enforcement action in a similar manner to that used in tackling the fly tipping issues and miss use of food bi-products. Enforcement is ongoing. Efforts are being made via negotiations with potential private partners to create a bin storage facility. Methods that could be used are section 106 payments via developer contribution

Those in attendance raised issues concerning the areas sea defences , the safety of disused units on Brew house bank, pot holes on access roads into the Fish Quay such as Borough Road and Brewhouse Bank and ponding on the Crescent site. The Mayor reported that £1 million had been spent on road repairs following adverse weather conditions over the winter plus money was also available from the Area Forums. The Mayor advised that any defects should be reported to the Council in order that these can be followed up and repaired. The issues reported will be followed up and reported back on.

Update following meeting: The breach in the sea wall and promenade is likely to be repaired within the next 4 weeks by Balfour Beatty who are undergoing other remedial work for the Council on the coast.

Building Control have visited the properties adjacent to Brewhouse Bank and will request that the owner secures the ground floor windows and doors with boards.

The ponding on the Crescent site should be a short term issue following the demolition of the fish processing units. The concrete floor slab was left in situ to avoid disturbing services under the slab. The floor slab has been ‘pecked’ in order to aid dissipation of surface water.

The Council’s Engineering Service will inspect the road surfaces in the area and undertake any remedial work to alleviate the pot holing problem.

The chair asked for progress on the Banksides Management Strategy. Kevin promised to bring a final report to the next meeting of the Partnership.

Reports regarding these issues will be included at the next partnership

8 Date of next meeting

Next informal meeting is 23 rd March 2011