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Decision details

Hanover Square Public Realm Improvements

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for City Highways, Cabinet Member for Environment, Sports and Community, Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Corporate Services, Leader of the Council

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

This report provides an update on the development of the comprehensive public realm scheme for Hanover Square and its gardens following Cabinet Member approval of the concept design in 2016.
It provides an update on stakeholder consultation and public briefing events, and seeks formal approval to proceed with the detailed design stage of this project, including formal consultation on proposed traffic and highways changes.

Decision:

Recommendations

1.            That formal approval was given by the Cabinet Member for Business, Culture and Heritage for the Initial Design for this scheme as shown in the General Arrangement drawing attached as Appendices Ci and Cii to the report, including the relocation of the cabmen’s shelter to a central position on the south side of Hanover Square;

2.            That formal approval was given by the Cabinet Member for Business, Culture and Heritage to complete the Stage 3 Detailed Design of the project;

3.            That the Cabinet Member for Business, Culture and Heritage agreed the outline project delivery programme set out in section 11 of the report;

4.            That the Leader of the Council on behalf of the Cabinet Member for City Highways approved the proposed kerbside parking and loading and Traffic Management Plans as shown in Appendices G and H;

5.            That the Leader of the Council on behalf of the Cabinet Member for City Highways approved the advertisement of the Street Notices and consultation on the Traffic Management Orders associated with the proposed parking and loading arrangements for Hanover Square;

6.            That the Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Corporate Services approved the expenditure of £577k from existing Section 106 public realm contributions already allocated to the Hanover Square project to fund the Stage 3 Detailed Design development and the advertisement of the Street Notices and consultation on the Traffic Management Orders;

7.            That the Cabinet Member for Environment, Sports and Community agreed the current gardens proposals as set out in section 10 and Appendices Di and Dii of the report.

8.            That delegated authority be given to the Executive Directors for Growth Planning and Housing and City Management and Communities in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Members for minor modifications to the approved Initial Design and Traffic Management Orders;

9.            That Cabinet Members note that there will be a further report to Members in early 2018 which will detail the responses made during the advertisement of and consultation on the Traffic Management Orders.  Subject to the consultation responses and Members’ views on these, it was intended that this further report will seek Members’ approval to the final design and the funding arrangements for the project, and to implement the Hanover Square public realm scheme to an approved delivery phasing plan commencing in mid-2018, with phased delivery of works through 2018-2020 – subject to Crossrail providing access to the site in 2018 – they were currently indicating that this would be at the end of June 2018.

Reasons for Decisions

1.            The Initial Design set out in Appendices Ci and Cii of this report had been produced in collaboration with key stakeholders and in consultation with the local business and residential community.  Approval of this design was required to enable this project to progress into the next, detailed design stage.

2.            The programme for development of the detailed design and for subsequent (with further Cabinet Member approval) implementation of this scheme was tight as it is related to Crossrail Line 1, the Elizabeth Line, opening in December 2018 and related construction activity in the area.  Delivery of the proposed scheme for Hanover Square was needed to provide a safe public realm to accommodate the increased numbers of pedestrians expected in Hanover Square following the opening of the new rail service there.

3.            The proposed public realm works necessitated associated improvements to the highways layout and parking and loading arrangements around Hanover Square.  These had been designed to maximise efficient use of the kerb sides and re-provide and where possible increase the amount of parking and loading provided. 

4.            Approval of the proposed parking and loading arrangements was required to enable this project to move through detailed design Stage 3, and for formal consultation to be carried out on the proposed traffic management arrangements.  A decision was needed to enable consultation on the associated TMO’s to be carried out early in the new year, to allow for implementation of the scheme in line with the outline project programme.

5.            The proposed highway modifications identified in this report would improve the streetscape in Hanover Square and provide a safe environment for pedestrians and other users of this space.  They would deliver substantial improvement to the public realm here, creating a world-class environment which enhanced the unique heritage of the Square and its gardens.

6.            Delegated authority is sought to make minor alterations to the proposals should the need arise.  These would be managed through a Project Board, representing funders, and an Advisory Board representing funders and other local interests, with amendments being made by relevant executive directors in consultation with Cabinet Members.  Resources and other implications are set out in Appendix A attached.

7.            A funding package had been identified and was being further developed for Hanover Square, with Section 106 public realm contributions collected specifically for spend on this project.  A number of these contributions could not legally be spent elsewhere.  Agreement was sought at this stage to continue to use these contributions to fund the Hanover Square scheme through Detailed Design Stage 3.  Further contributions have been identified and are being actively sought.  These are detailed in section 12 below and include a contribution from Crossrail for delivery of works outside their station entrance.

8.            This was the 2nd of 3 Cabinet Member Reports relating specifically to proposals for public realm works in Hanover Square.  The first (2nd September 2016) sought agreement to proceed through design stages 1 and 2 (feasibility and initial design) of this project.  This work has subsequently been completed.  This report sought approval to complete Stage 3 detailed design work and to carry out formal consultation on the proposed highways changes. 

9.            A further Cabinet Member Report will be presented to Cabinet Members in early 2018 reporting on the findings of the traffic order advertisement and consultation and will seek agreement to implement the Hanover Square scheme.  At this stage a full funding package will be presented to Members for their approval, together with details of the proposed phased implementation programme.

Declaration:  Councillor Davis declared that he knew the Directors and Officers of NEWEC and other landowners.

Publication date: 08/01/2018

Date of decision: 08/01/2018

Accompanying Documents: