Purpose

A report on potential town centre regeneration
options in relation to Aylesbury public realm

Content

This report provided a progress update on the
improvement works for Market Square, Kingsbury and Cambridge Street
and sought authority to transfer the capital funding from the
Kingsbury & Market Square public realm scheme to the new
Aylesbury Public Realm scheme which progressed the ambitions of the
Aylesbury Regeneration Strategy. In addition, authority was sought
to advance the demolition of the former Gala Bingo Hall situated on
the High Street and progress with the scheme development of a
meanwhile use and public realm on the northern end of Exchange
Street car park as set out in the
report.
 
Following a
cost and design review exercise on the former Kingsbury and Market
Square public realm scheme, it was
determined that the scheme was no longer viable in the current
financial climate and did not offer value for money. This new
scheme had been developed to regenerate the high street and drive
increased footfall to the town centre by creating an exciting new
provision whilst addressing the deteriorating former Gala Bingo
Hall. It would create a seamless connection with the Exchange area
development which had been hugely successful.
 
The strategic positioning of
the Exchange Street car park next to the
Gala Bingo Hall Site offered the opportunity to deliver a wider
regeneration project which included a new walkway connection to the
High Street, enhanced public realm and meanwhile use (new business
spaces). The proposed new walkway link to the High Street would
greatly improve walking and connectivity around the town centre
which in turn would enhance economic activity.
 
RESOLVED -
 

1.     
the progress of the improvement works for Market Square,
Kingsbury (TRO) and Cambridge Street be noted.

2.     
the transfer of the remaining capital budget of £4.772m
(former Kingsbury and Market Public Realm scheme) to the Aylesbury
Public Realm scheme (Gala Bingo Hall and the northern end of
Exchange Street Car Park) be
agreed.

3.     
the recommended preferred option (5) meanwhile use and public realm at the northern end of Exchange
Street car park together with long term mixed use development
situated on the footprint of the former Gala Bingo Hall be
agreed.

4.     
the budget of £1,382,400 to fund the demolition of Gala
Bingo Hall and professional fees associated with the demolition and
the scheme development of the meanwhile use, public realm,
walkway and temporary car parking be
released.

5.     
a future decision will come back to Cabinet once a full business
case and design work has been undertaken.

6.     
delegated authority be provided to the Service Director for
Economic Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet
Member for Planning and Regeneration for the following:
·        
To procure and undertake all relevant workstreams that
facilitate the advanced demolition works and scheme development as
set out in the report.
·        
To undertake a procurement exercise for a demolition contractor
and to then subsequently enter into a
demolition contract to advance the demolition works with the
preferred contractor and to enter into any necessary agreements
with adjoining landowners to facilitate the demolition works of
Gala Bingo Hall