Agenda item

AGREED that Cabinet:

a)         note the progress on the Newark Town Fund Programme and associated projects being delivered;

b)         authorise the Director – Planning & Growth in consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Strategy, Performance & Finance and Economic Development & Visitor Economy to respond to National Highways Statutory Consultation on the A46 Newark Northern Bypass to outline the strong support for the proposals alongside the need to deliver the Council’s aspirations to relocate the Lorry Park, redevelop the Gateway site, and to secure adequate compensation for the impacts of the Bypass proposals; 

c)          authorise the Business Manager, Corporate Property, in consultation with the Director – Planning & Growth and Portfolio Holders for Strategy, Performance & Finance and Economic Development & Visitor Economy, to progress negotiations with landowner(s) for a proposed new Newark Lorry Park site in order to allow terms to be considered as part of development of a Business Case for the Lorry Park relocation; and

d)         authorise the Business Manager, Corporate Property, in consultation with the Director – Planning & Growth and the Portfolio Holders for Strategy, Performance & Finance and Economic Development & Visitor Economy, to develop a business case (including where appropriate identifying a development partner), and planning applications for a relocated Newark Lorry Park and redevelopment of the Gateway site, supported by additional revenue budget of £200,000 funded from the Change Management Reserve to cover necessary fees.

The Portfolio Holder for Economic Development & Visitors presented a report which provided an update on the Newark Town Fund Programme including recommendations to continue to progress the relocation of Newark Lorry Park and the redevelopment of the Newark Gateway site.

Since the update report to the Cabinet on 7 June 2022, a number of Towns Fund projects had progressed at pace including assessment and in many cases assurance of Outline and Full Business Cases via the Council’s external independent assurers and the Council’s S151 Officer. The report provided an update on all Towns Fund projects but substantively dealt with the SisCLog proposals and linked activity surrounding the Newark Lorry Park and its need for relocation given the proposals emerging through the A46 Newark Northern Bypass scheme.

With regard to the Lorry Park, it was reported that the preferred route for the Newark A46 Northern Bypass would significantly impact on the existing lorry park site. Given that and the associated income loss to the Council, it was still recommended to relocate the lorry park, with the preferred location still being the Newark Showground.

AGREED (unanimously) that Cabinet:

a)          note the progress on the Newark Town Fund Programme and associated projects being delivered;

b)         authorise the Director – Planning & Growth in consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Strategy, Performance & Finance and Economic Development & Visitor Economy to respond to National Highways Statutory Consultation on the A46 Newark Northern Bypass to outline the strong support for the proposals alongside the need to deliver the Council’s aspirations to relocate the Lorry Park, redevelop the Gateway site, and to secure adequate compensation for the impacts of the Bypass proposals;

c)          authorise the Business Manager, Corporate Property, in consultation with the Director – Planning & Growth and Portfolio Holders for Strategy, Performance & Finance and Economic Development & Visitor Economy, to progress negotiations with landowner(s) for a proposed new Newark Lorry Park site in order to allow terms to be considered as part of development of a Business Case for the Lorry Park relocation; and

d)         authorise the Business Manager, Corporate Property, in consultation with the Director – Planning & Growth and the Portfolio Holders for Strategy, Performance & Finance and Economic Development & Visitor Economy, to develop a business case (including where appropriate identifying a development partner), and planning applications for a relocated Newark Lorry Park and redevelopment of the Gateway site, supported by additional revenue budget of £200,000 funded from the Change Management Reserve to cover necessary fees.

Reasons for Decision

A retained but relocated and expanded Newark Lorry Park will continue to offer an important facility to the logistics and transport sector, as reflected by its increase in use and importance in recent years. The relocation will also allow for the delivery of the Gateway site, specifically the SiSCLog proposals as supported by the Government, this Council, and the Newark Towns Board. The proposals support all of the Community Plan objectives given their scale and scope of outputs in continuing to provide opportunities and aspiration for residents and businesses.

Options Considered:

The development of the Newark Town Investment Plan and selection of priority Towns Fund projects was part of a significant assessment process undertaken by the Newark Towns Board, in consultation with a range of partners and industry, including the Council. With respect to the Gateway site and the existing Newark Lorry Park the report explored various options available to the Council as a result of the impact of the A46 Newark Northern Bypass.