Agenda item

Development of old Bexhill High School Site (CA3.1)

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the report of the Executive Director concerning the development of the former Bexhill High School site as a leisure destination.

 

The Council’s aspiration was to provide a one-site facility in Bexhill to encompass all leisure facilities for the community and this objective was reflected in the Council’s Corporate Plan 2014-2021, Local Plan Site Allocation and the Bexhill Town Centre Strategy. Overall, the objective was to secure a leisure destination on the site of the former Bexhill High School.

 

The acquisition of the former High School site had encountered a number of complex land and legal obstacles and the report provided an update on the current position, as follows:

 

·       Ministry of Defence: the Council had been in discussion with South East Reserves Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (SERFCA) to acquire the Drill Hall, as indicated on Appendix 1 to the report.  The closest rifle range located in Hastings had subsequently closed therefore SERFCA had confirmed that they would not be moving from their current premises.

·       De La Warr Estate (DLWE) and Village Green: Lengthy discussion had been held with the DLWE to acquire the land at the front of the site.  A price was agreed and legal proceedings commenced, however it was understood that the DLWE was unable to prove title and had made an application to the Land Registry; formal determination was awaited.  This also included the area of land designated as Village Green at the front of the site which was currently covered in cobbles.  The Council wrote to the Open Spaces Society who had stated that they had no problem with this land being de-registered.  This was required for widening the access road to the site but could not be de-registered until the Council had ownership of the land.

·       East Sussex County Council (ESCC) Land: acquisition had been delayed due to legal constraints, as well as access issues to the Skills Centre building across the site.  ESCC was working to resolve all issues as part of the transfer agreement.

 

Architects had been appointed to create a masterplan for the site and to submit an outline planning application; this was submitted early in 2019 and determination was awaited.  Leisure consultants, Strategic Leisure Limited was appointed to provide specialist support and advice in delivering a new leisure facility and procuring an operator to run the centre.

 

To progress the site, the following next steps were required:

 

·       Pursue a Compulsory Purchase Order to acquire the frontage land should the DLWE be unable to prove title; this could not commence until the application was resolved.

·       Once transfer terms were agreed, the Council was expected to take ownership of the ESCC land within the 2019/20 financial year.

·       As a result of not being able to purchase the Drill Hall, amendments would be required to the masterplan.  This land had been earmarked for a hotel and associated car parking.  It would be necessary to omit the hotel.

·       As a result of losing the hotel and to maximize revenue potential, it would be necessary to amend the residential scheme.

·       Once outline planning permission was granted, it would be necessary to separate the leisure and housing development into two distinct projects.

 

Members were disappointed that the hotel had been omitted from the plans and felt it was essential that an alternative site was located within Bexhill.  It was noted that the loss of the hotel would impact on the overall viability of the scheme as its revenue was intended to cross-subsidise the leisure centre.  However, additional housing on the site might well compensate for this.  Members suggested that perhaps an alternative location should be sought for the leisure centre.

 

Concern was raised regarding the condition of the Skills Centre building; the building was looking dilapidated and neglected.  Clarity was sought on the plans for this building.  Members were advised that its current and future usage was unknown.  The Executive Director advised that the property was allocated for educational purposes only and was currently leased by the Academies Trust from ESCC.

 

Following discussion, Cabinet approved the new approach of retaining the Drill Hall, reconfiguring the leisure centre site and the provision of additional housing to offset the capital costs in order to progress the new landmark leisure destination and provide much needed housing for the local community.

 

RESOLVED: That the new approach to developing the old Bexhill High School site Corporate Plan Project be supported by:

 

a)    omitting the proposed hotel; and

 

b)    separating the housing and leisure elements into two distinct projects to be brought forward separately after outline planning permission has been granted.

 

(When it first became apparent, Councillors J. Barnes, Clark, Field, Mrs Earl-Williams and Maynard each declared a personal interest in this matter as they were elected Members of East Sussex County Council and in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct remained in the room during the consideration thereof).

 

(Councillor Mrs Bayliss declared a personal interest in this matter as she was a Trustee Aurora Academies Trust and in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct remained in the room during the consideration thereof).

Supporting documents: