Presentation by Charles Smyth, Cedar House Investments
Minutes:
Charles Smyth, Cedar House Investments, gave a presentation on the proposals for the Clifton Triangle development and highlighted the following points:
(a) the Clifton Triangle site is located on Green Lane;
(b) the constraints of the site include:
· maintaining the surrounding residential amenity;
· keeping as many of the existing trees surrounding the site, and adding new ones where possible;
· a new highways access to the site to provide well managed access to the new layout;
(c) opportunities for the site include:
· supplementing and enhancing the existing Clifton high street offer with a mixed use scheme comprising food and non-food retail;
· the potential to enhance aspects of the landscape and soften the hard palisade fence boundary;
· creating a vibrant active use on the site to replace the vacant derelict buildings;
· providing one and two bedroom apartments to supplement the extensive family housing in the area;
(d) many potential development solutions have been explored for the site in conjunction with Nottingham City Council Planning Officers;
(e) the initial proposals included:
· a 20,000 sq ft discount food store;
· 30,000 sq ft of non-food stores for various potential tenants in a variety of unit sizes;
· a 1,600 sq ft food and drink unit;
· 210 new parking spaces;
· 24 apartments;
· the retention of the majority of the existing trees;
· the provision of a new pedestrian access;
· rationalisation of the existing vehicular entrance to the site;
(f) public consultation results included:
· confirmation that 77% of respondents currently use Clifton for food shopping, but only 43% use it for non-food shopping;
· 78% of respondents wanting to see a discount food store introduced to Clifton;
· 81% of respondents wanting to see the construction of other types of retail floorspace (non-food);
· 73% of respondents agree that the Green Lane site is a suitable site for retail development;
(g) revisions to the proposals as a result of the feedback include:
· the vehicular access to the car park serving the residential apartments being moved from Langstrath Road to Green Lane;
· the pedestrian access through the site from Langstrath Road being removed;
· additional planting being introduced along Green Lane;
(h) it is hoped that a planning application will be submitted by the end of September 2016. Nottingham City Council will then carry out its own consultation on the application;
(i) once planning permission has been granted, it is projected that development will start on site in Spring 2017, with store openings targeted for Easter 2018.
The following comments were made during the discussion:
(j) the development is generating huge interest and excitement in the area, and will bring great benefits;
(k) the retention of trees is welcome, as is the dominance of retail units as opposed to residential dwellings;
(l) as there are issues with obesity in the area, it is important to ensure that there aren’t any fast food units on the site;
(m) the development is one of the most important things to happen to Clifton;
(n) the landscaping along Green Lane should be built up to try and disguise the car park;
(o) moving the residential entrance to Green Lane has relieved a lot of anxiety about parking issues in the area;
(p) a clothing retailer would be welcomed as there is a very limited offer in the area;
(q) a family orientated restaurant is much needed;
(r) there needs to be connectivity with the other retail centres in the area;
(s) existing shops have welcomed the proposals and feel it will improve the area;
(t) the development will create jobs for local people.
Councillor Michael Edwards abstained from the discussion due to being a member of the Planning Committee.