Decision details

To provide an update on proposals for the Regeneration of the Grand Quarter and New Briggate including the redevelopment of Council owned land and property.

Further to Minute No. 25, 22^nd June 2016, the Director of City Development submitted a report which provided an update on the issues and opportunities regarding the regeneration of the area around New Briggate. In addition, the report also identified current proposals, and detailed the actions being taken by the Council and other stakeholders to re-energise the area.

Responding to an enquiry, Members were assured that the proposal to lease 34-40 New Briggate would be subject to support for the scheme being obtained from The Grand Theatre and Opera House Board, and also subject to a successful application for Arts Council funding being received, and if such funding was not obtained, then the matter would be resubmitted to the Executive Board for further consideration.

Members also highlighted the importance of ensuring that any wider proposals for regeneration in this area were of benefit to the whole of the city and were complimentary to those buildings which were key to Leeds’ cultural offer, such as the Grand Theatre.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the leasing of 34-40 New Briggate to Opera North Ltd. at market rent be approved, subject to support for the scheme from The Grand Theatre and Opera House Board, a successful application for Arts Council funding and also the required planning approval;

(b)  That the agreement of the detailed terms for the disposal be delegated to the Director of City Development under delegated powers, with the matter being reported back to Executive Board;

(c)  That it be noted that the £750,000 currently in the capital programme to finance a reverse premium will no longer be required to fund landlord improvements at 34-40 New Briggate, and instead it is proposed that this funding contributes towards complementary public realm improvements as part of the wider regeneration of the New Briggate area, as outlined within Section 3.2 of the submitted report;

(d)  That officers reporting to the Director City Development be requested to continue partnership working in order to develop more detailed design of the public realm and the funding options to implement public realm improvements.

Meetings with key stakeholders over the principle of bringing vacant units back into active use.

Executive Member for Regeneration, Transport and Planning, Opera North and Leeds Grand Theatre Management.