Decision Details

Implemented

'London Road' High Street, Lowestoft - Heritage Action Zone

ES/0204

Yes

Committee

Cabinet

Tue 3 Dec 2019

Yes

Report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member with responsibility for Economic Development, and the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Planning and Coastal Management 

To approve the Heritage Action Zone Delivery Plan and the Council's match-funding contribution 

Economic Development & Regeneration

Planning & Coastal Management

Paul Wood

Equality Impact Assessment 

No

1. That authority be delegated to the Head of Economic Development & Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Development & Regeneration, and Heads of Finance and Legal to agree the submission of the ‘London Road’ High Street Heritage Action Zone Delivery Plan. The deadline for submission of the final plan to Historic England is 20th December 2019. The Plan will then be assessed by Historic England during January 2020, with a final decision on the programme and official, written confirmation of the funding expected soon after. 
2. That approval of the requested match-funding contribution for the programme be recommended to Full Council. The match-funding required from East Suffolk Council is £66,750 Year 1, £84,877 Year 2, £36,059 Year 3 and £151,052 in Year 4, totalling £338,738. 
3. That approval of additional resource in Planning and Coastal Management to provide an additional Area Planning Officer (0.5 FTE) and Design & Conservation Officer (0.5 TE), totalling £181,283 over four years, which will cover both the existing North Lowestoft Heritage Action Zone and the ‘London Road’ High Street Heritage Action Zone be recommended to Full Council. 

The HSHAZ will deliver a targeted package of interventions to address key issues within high street areas in Lowestoft. The programme will ensure that the area has achieved visual improvement and a feeling of revitalisation. Through community engagement, pride in place will have been raised, safeguarding the ongoing care and maintenance of the area through enabling communities to input into the project and engaging with partners in the programme. An improvement in the management of heritage in decline and the South Lowestoft Conservation Area will result in a proactive as approach, ensuring the projects sustainability. The ambition of the scheme is to build enthusiasm and momentum, using the programme interventions to encourage private investment in the area and act as a catalyst for future regeneration. The partnership formed will ensure that the Council and partners are committed to ensuring the long-term protection and sustainability of heritage within the area, recognising the legal enforcement measures will be taken if required. Connectivity improvements with other key areas within the town will enable an increase in footfall / economic impact and will encourage visitors to visit other areas that they would not have visited previously. A Cultural Programme will assist in driving up the visitor offer, connecting into initiatives such as First Light. 

The Delivery Plan will set out a robust way of working with targeted intervention over the course of the four-year programming period. It will ensure that the tried and tested Governance structure (currently used in the North Lowestoft HAZ) is established, ensuring that resources are directed into areas of need, complementing future plans for the town, in particular through the emerging Town Deal for Lowestoft. 

Option 1 – Do nothing: The high street areas identified within the HSHAZ boundary would be left to continue to decline, with rising vacancy rates and decline in footfall. Heritage assets within the boundary would continue deteriorate.  Communities would continue to feel disjointed from their high streets. 
Option 2 – Do not proceed with the HSHAZ but consider individual grant options for project inventions. Economies of scale would not be achieved, with interventions happening piecemeal. Communities would not feel engaged with the interventions. A partnership approach, with Historic England would not be possible. Additionally, it would require match funding and resources for each individual scheme, which may not offer the same value for money. 

Councillor Rudd declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest as she, and her son, both owned property in the area.   

None