Issue - meetings

To consider the joint report of the Director of City Development and the Director of Environment and Housing providing an update on proposals for the development of a new horticultural nursery at Whinmoor Grange to replace existing operational facilities at Red Hall.  The report highlights the current role and benefits of the nursery, an outline business case for its relocation and future benefits of a new nursery.  The report also seeks approval to commission detailed design proposals to RIBA stage D for the Whinmoor Grange site.  In addition, the report provides an update on work to establish the medium-term strategic disposal opportunity that will subsequently arise for the Council’s land holdings at Red Hall and the progress made on feasibility work to inform the scope of redevelopment. 

The Director of City Development and the Director of Environment and Housing submitted a joint report providing an update on proposals for the development of a new horticultural nursery at Whinmoor Grange to replace existing operational facilities at Red Hall.  The report highlighted the current role and benefits of the nursery, an outline business case for its relocation and future benefits of a new nursery.  In addition, the report also sought approval to commission detailed design proposals to RIBA stage D for the Whinmoor Grange site, whilst also providing an update on work to establish the medium-term strategic disposal opportunity that would subsequently arise for the Council’s land holdings at Red Hall, together with the progress which had been made on feasibility work to inform the scope of redevelopment. 

Responding to a Member’s enquiry, officers undertook to provide the Member in question with further information on a specific planning matter regarding the proposed development. 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the use of land at Whinmoor Grange to develop a replacement horticultural nursery be approved.

(b)  That commencement of the design and site layout of a circa 6 hectare horticultural nursery facility and ancillary facilities at Whinmoor Grange to RIBA stage D, funded from existing budget provision (Capital Scheme No. 16442), indicating how this would relate to adjoining parts of the site, be approved.

(c)  That a further report be submitted to Executive Board in the form of a Design and Cost report, outlining the processes involved in progressing the development of a horticultural nursery at Whinmoor along with further detail on funding.

(d)  That the progress on feasibility work undertaken to inform the development of the Red Hall site, be noted.

(e)  That the key development principles, as set out within the submitted report and accompanying concept plan, including the retention of two pitches on site, be noted and confirmed.

(f)  That approval be given to the process and timetable for the production of a draft Informal Planning Statement to guide future planning applications, disposal and development of the site for housing and related infrastructure, to include requirements for greenspace, scale and type of development, highways, pedestrian and cycle movement, as well as more detailed design guidance.

(Under the terms of Executive and Decision Making Procedure Rule 3.1.6, during the consideration of this item, Councillor Anderson was invited to attend the remainder of the meeting on behalf of Councillor A Carter, who left the meeting at this point).