Decision

RESOLVED That Cabinet:

1. 1)           Recommended to Council the allocation of £3.5 million of Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding towards the delivery of the Aycliffe Pavilion Redevelopment Scheme.
2. 2)           Approved the award of the contract for the design, development and submission of a planning application for the Aycliffe Pavilion Redevelopment Scheme to the Contractor named in the Part 2 Report later on the agenda and for the sum stated therein.
3. 3)           Noted the anticipated total capital cost of the completed redevelopment project is currently estimated at approximately £4.5 million, within approved capital budget of £6.0 million, and note the proposed funding strategy set out within this report.
4. 4)           Noted that a further report will be presented to Cabinet following planning approval and completion of the procurement process, seeking approval of the final project budget prior to the commencement of construction works. 

Reasons for decision

Aycliffe Park is one of the Borough's most important public parks and serves a community that has experienced significant population growth and demographic change in recent years. The existing pavilion building has been vacant since 2020 and has deteriorated considerably, becoming affected by vandalism, graffiti and antisocial behaviour. Its poor condition has generated concerns from local residents and detracts from the wider park environment. Redevelopment presents an opportunity to transform a deteriorating and under-utilised asset into a modern community facility capable of meeting changing community needs over the long term.

The new building will provide flexible accommodation capable of supporting sports clubs, community groups, youth activities, health and wellbeing programmes, exercise classes, learning opportunities and local events. By designing the building as a multi-purpose community facility rather than a traditional sports pavilion, the Council can ensure that it remains adaptable to changing patterns of use, demographic change and future community requirements. The project will deliver significant social, environmental and regeneration benefits. It will remove a longstanding source of visual blight, vandalism and antisocial behaviour, improve perceptions of safety, enhance access and landscaping, and create a focal point for community activity within the park.

The scheme also supports the Council's wider objectives of investing in community infrastructure, improving health and wellbeing outcomes, making effective use of Council assets and ensuring that communities experiencing higher levels of deprivation benefit from investment associated with growth across the Borough.

Alternative Options Considered

Option 1 – Do Nothing

This option would see the site retained in its current unused state, with only essential maintenance undertaken. Retaining the pavilion in its current vacant state is not recommended as it would perpetuate visual blight, vandalism, antisocial behaviour, environmental issues and ongoing maintenance costs whilst failing to provide the modern community infrastructure identified through public consultation and required to support local residents. It would also represent a missed opportunity to bring a long-term vacant Council asset back into productive use and improve a key community facility within Aycliffe Park.

Option 2 – Dispose of the site

This option is not recommended as it would remove the Council's long-term control over the future use and development of the site, potentially limiting the ability to deliver community infrastructure that responds directly to local needs. Disposal could reduce the Council's ability to ensure that future development aligns with its strategic objectives relating to community wellbeing, regeneration, sustainability and placemaking. Retaining ownership provides greater accountability, transparency and certainty over outcomes for local residents. Disposal of the site is therefore not considered the preferred option. Retaining the asset enables the Council to directly deliver the community benefits identified through consultation, whilst ensuring that future investment supports the long-term needs of residents and the wider park environment.

Option 3 – Light Refurbishment and Re-letting as Playing Pitch Changing Facilities

This option would involve undertaking a basic refurbishment of the existing pavilion to enable it to be re-let as changing facilities supporting adjacent playing pitches. This option is not recommended as the building is in poor condition and would require significant investment to bring it up to modern standards, including accessibility, energy efficiency, safeguarding and maintenance requirements. Demand for dedicated changing facilities at this location is uncertain, creating a risk that refurbishment costs would not be recovered through rental income. The option would also fail to maximise the potential of the site, delivering limited community benefit compared with redevelopment, whilst leaving the Council with ongoing repair, management and lifecycle maintenance liabilities. In addition, it would not contribute towards wider corporate objectives relating to community wellbeing, regeneration, sustainability and the efficient use of Council-owned assets.