Agenda item

(Report of the Director of Place and Sustainability. To be introduced by the Leader of the Council). This report sets out proposals and funding requirements for an initial twelve month project to revitalise Tottenham High Road.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Leader of the Council, which set out proposals in relation to the use of 451 to 453 Tottenham High Road and the Council’s long term strategy for improving the High Road.

The Leader noted that the proposals contained within the report would support work being undertaken to improve employment opportunities for local young people through exposing them to a professional office environment and giving them the chance to learn valuable new skills. The creation of high quality business space in the area supported the Council’s objective to establish a thriving High Road with a sustainable mix of high quality local independent retailers and businesses and nationally recognised names. 

RESOLVED:

1. That a virement from the central contingency fund of £181,548 should be made to fund the pilot project.

2. That plans to take a five year lease of the premises at 451 to 453 Tottenham High Road be endorsed and that the key role that this would be play in delivering positive change to the area be noted. 

3. That that the financial implications of the longer term proposals for 451 to 453 Tottenham High Road which would form part of a report on the overall Tottenham Regeneration Programme that would be considered at Cabinet on 12 November 2013 be noted.

4. That approval be given to the Council, John McAslan and Partners and CHENEL entering into a services contract for the delivery of the twelve month pilot project based on the proposed MOU (the details of which are currently being finalised and the outcome of this will form part of the report being considered at  Cabinet on 28 November 2013).

5. That authority be given to waiving of Contract Standing Orders to tender the services associated with partnership pilot as it is in the Council’s overall interests to do so.

Alternative options considered

The Council could decide to not proceed with this project and to take a non-active role in the uses and offer available on Tottenham High Road, but that is not considered appropriate for a number of reasons.

As stated in section 1 of the report the Council is determined to revitalise Tottenham High Road and make it the heart of business, commercial and community life in Tottenham. This requires a much stronger focus on attracting high quality retailers in the key centres on the High Road (North Tottenham, Seven Sisters and Bruce Grove District Centre) and promoting other high quality uses outside these key centres (leisure and employment generating commercial uses in particular).

Whilst substantial private and public sector investment is happening in, and is planned for, Tottenham, this has yet to result in a more diverse High Road offer. The Council has been clear that it wants to see a mix of high quality independents and nationally recognised businesses choosing to locate on Tottenham High Road.  The opportunity the 12 month pilot project presents of a prestigious and high profile business such as John McAslan and Partners (who have been responsible for projects such as the new King’s Cross station and the Roundhouse in Camden) locating on Tottenham High Road can be a real game changer for Tottenham. It can send a huge signal of confidence to the local business community and wider investor market that Tottenham is growing and changing and that the area is open for business. 

451-453 High Road is located just outside of the designated Bruce Grove District Centre. Whilst currently designated as an A1 (shops) use class, without prejudice to the Council’s role as a Local Planning Authority, a proposal for a high quality professional services company (Architects and Urban Design Practice) operating out of a B1 (Business) or A2 (Financial and Professional Services) premises will be not be in rivalry with surrounding commercial premises and can play a key role in lifting the feel and offer of the surrounding area.