Purpose

The initial allowance has been spent on:
Utilities searches
Topographical and measured surveys
Bat roost appraisal
Bat hibernation and summer roost surveys
Environmental Sweep
Flood Risk Assessment
Preliminary Ecological Appraisal
Procuring site surveys for the Martello Tower will be essential to support the planning application and to de-risk the Martello Tower E. These surveys have been requested as part of the pre application response and are required to inform technical designs at RIBA Stage 4.
On 20 December 2024, Cabinet accepted the Community Regeneration Partnership funding and commenced delivery. Prior to this, the programme was accepted into the Policy Framework by Full Council on 8 June 2024 and the principle of entering the Partnership approved by Cabinet on 26 July 2024. Subsequently, the funding has been received and a Memorandum of Understanding entered with MHCLG which includes TDC as the Accountable Body. The funding period lasts until 31 March 2026.
The extension of these allocations are necessary to help progress the project through to delivery, including achieving defrayment in line with the MOU.
At present, there are still a number of unknowns about the Tower and undertaking initial surveys will be crucial as the project progresses in order to inform technical design decisions, validate our planning application and de-risk the project as we move towards construction.

Decision

To extend the amount of project budget for surveys outlined within the Project Initiation Document (Ten_11-Martello Tower E - PID) from £20,000 to £25,000 as further site surveys are required and we have reached the initial cap of £20,000.

Alternative options considered

While the overall project will last beyond 2028, the survey duration concludes prior to the timescales of Local Government Reorganisation.
The wider project will include works to improve the building condition, prevent further decay, refurbish the existing building and help manage the ongoing maintenance burden of this council-owned asset.