Minutes:
Cllr Clarke reminded the LA that this has closed down and that there is some discussion about this. There are 2 houses next door to the old youth club and these are privately owned, the council is trying to get this land to make it a bigger site. They are also talking with L&Q, the officers have said that they will come back in autumn and provide a more comprehensive update. Below is the written update.
Background - The former Grove Park Youth Club closed in 2013. This note sets out for the Grove Park Local Assembly a short summary of the considerations for the future use of the site, the early work that has been undertaken by Council officers in that regard, and the opportunity for the local assembly to be share their views on the options for the site later this year. No decisions have been made and the views of the assembly and residents more generally will be key to shaping options for the site.
Options for the site - The site of the youth centre itself has been vacant for a year. There is a strip of land to the south of the site which is currently unused, or under-used, public space, which is owned by London & Quadrant. Officers are also worked to establish the proposals for the land to the east of the site, which have been demolished but not rebuilt despite there being planning permission to do so.
This is a prominent site on the corner of two roads, and therefore has the capacity for a residential development, or mixed use development combining residential properties and either retail or community facilities.
In addition to this former youth club itself, there is another community facility – the W.G. Grace centre to the south of the site, although not directly adjoining. This facility is again owned by London and Quadrant.
Given the prominence of the site, the opportunity that there is to invest in the local area, and the potential partnership elements with other land owners nearby (especially in relation to the two demolished buildings, which has not yet been possible) officers have been keen to understand all of the options available on the site fully.
Broadly there are two options, and it will be important that full consideration and consultation with local residents and the local assembly takes place before a decision over the future of the site is even considered. These two options are:
1. To develop just the youth centre site. This could be done by the Council or in partnership, for instance with a housing association,.
2. Consider how other land might be included. This includes the land immediately to the south and east of the site. It could also include considering whether a development of this site might enable other developments, such as investment to update the WG Grace centre.
Important considerations: The nature, type and scale of community facilities in the area
It is very important that any new development contains the right type and amount of community facilities. This would include thinking about what facilities are provided on the site itself, and how they relate to the other facilities in the area, such as the WG Grace centre. The Council is leading a new house building programme – new homes, better places – which has a target of 500 new council homes, but it is very clear that it is not just about homes but building places where people want to live with the right community infrastructure. The better places element is just as important as the new homes element.
Parking provision and outdoor space- This will be an important consideration for any development. It will be crucial that the development is well designed and has sufficient parking capacity to support residents needs – current residents as well as any new ones, and likewise the provision of outdoor spaces and play areas. Again it is these elements that contribute to building better places as well as new homes.
New housing of the right type for local residents’ needs - The Council is keen to see the development of homes that meet the needs of residents. In this specific area this might include building well designed one and two bedroom properties to enable residents in the predominantly larger family housing nearby to downsize if they choose. It might also include building shared ownership or other low cost home ownership properties for local people to access home ownership for the first time.
Next steps and consultation with the local assembly - As set out above, no decisions have been made and Council officers are in the early stages of assessing the options for the site. The views of residents and the local assembly will be critical to shaping the options for the site, and on that basis it is proposed that a consultation about the options be considered by the assembly later in the year.