Agenda item

The Scrutiny Commission will receive a ‘fly through’ presentation of the design of the market redevelopment from officers and architects, from Cheapside through to the new Food Hall and from Molly O’ Grady’s public house to give a better idea of what the scheme will look like when complete. A link to the City Council’s website www.leicester.gov.uk/marketconsultation will enable the proposals to be viewed.

As part of the consultation process, a series of public displays will be held in the Market Square, attended by officers and members. Comments on the proposals outlined are required by 22^nd February 2013.

Mike Dalzell, Head of Economic Regeneration, made a presentation on where the market redevelopment proposals were, on which consultation was scheduled to run until 22^nd February 2013. Also present at the meeting were Nigel Stephenson and Adam Parker from Greig and Stephenson Architects. The presentation is attached to the minutes for information.

Mike said a number of sessions were being held directly in the Market Square, talking to traders and to shoppers and explaining the scheme. Detailed one-to-one discussions with food hall traders and the architects had explored what traders’ requirements were when they moved into the new hall. Details of the meetings and the formal consultation process could be found on the website, at http://www.leicester.gov.uk/consultation/

Given the nature of the scheme, Mike said a lot of stakeholder engagement was being undertaken. He added that a positive meeting with the Chair of the Civic Society had been held, and the scheme would be taken to the next Conservation Advisory Panel meeting on 13^th February 2013. Regular updates had also been presented to Market Forum meetings on which traders were represented. Mike said officers had spoken with English Heritage who were less enthusiastic about the scheme as they liked the Market Corner, with the side of the Corn Exchange exposed. Officers were waiting to receive feedback from them. They had asked if the existing footprint could be used to house the food hall traders, but the suggestion would mean the loss of the new square, and traders would have to be decanted into temporary accommodation, which would be expensive. The City Mayor said English Heritage were consultees, and it was a matter for the Planning Committee to decide the validity of English Heritage concerns. With regards to the work required on the Corn Exchange, the City Council owned the Freehold and a discussion was required with the tenant as to who would pay for the works. Nigel Stephenson added that a conversation with the brewery who owned Molly O’Grady’s was very positive.

Mike discussed the design of the new building and subsequent development of the new square. The East facade had been requested to be re-aligned with the line of the Corn Exchange by Conservation Officers. The roof of the new build would be in scale with the existing roof line, and materials used would be sustainable. Mike said solar glass would be used to provide a comfortable environment inside the building.

Ongoing discussions were being held with planners, as the rear of the Corn Exchange housed the services for Wetherspoons, including fire escape, air conditioning units etc. Nigel Stephenson added there was an option for the west facade facing the new square to have an extension for A3 use, or for extending Wetherspoons, but it would be necessary to create a screen to accommodate Wetherspoons’ services.

Mike said the scheme was still subject to change, and at the end of the consultation a report would be given to the City Mayor, after which it was hoped a planning application would be submitted early March. Mike said by the end of 2013 the new Food Hall will be constructed, and the scheme would be complete within two years under the timetable.

Councillor Porter stated the Market Corner had cost £600,000 to develop, and people had been pleased that the side of the Corn Exchange had been opened up, but the new building would result in the loss of the view. He added the new contemporary building would contrast negatively against the old Corn Exchange, and the design should work and blend with the Corn Exchange. Councillor Porter asked if the traders could be housed in the short-term in a temporary facility at the back of the Corn Exchange. Nigel stated that the traders had survived in dire circumstances, and they should only have to move once, as they would not survive if they had to be moved twice.

The Chair thanked the architects and officer for the presentation.

Councillors Naylor, Porter and Clair, and the City Mayor left the meeting at this point and were not present for the remainder of the meeting.