Agenda item

[ Report of the Assistant Director for Regeneration. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for  Finance and Strategic Regeneration.]

Decision to accept £2m grant from MHCLG/Historic England to deliver Tottenham Heritage Action Zone in Bruce Grove Ward over the next 4 years.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategic Regeneration introduced the report which sought Cabinet approval to accept an offer of grant for £2.012 million from Historic England and to subsequently enter into a grant agreement with Historic England for restoration of both historic properties and public realm spaces within the Bruce Grove Town Conservation Area (Bruce Grove Town Centre) in Tottenham.

The Council would need to provide match funding of £2.598m but this funding allowed the Council to capitalise on the broader nature of the High Road, creating a more welcoming, safer and attractive visitor experience, promoting Tottenham High Road as a distinct destination; improving arrival at Bruce Grove Station and encouraging people to walk along Bruce Grove to Tottenham Green to enjoy the diverse local shops and handsome buildings.

In response to a question from Councillor Cawley- Harrison on altering the highways to support the improvements to heritage buildings in the area, although there were specific allocations for the improvements, the Regeneration team would be speaking with the highways team on expanding the pathways. There had already been some work completed on reducing traffic on Tottenham High road with some further initiatives to be taken forward with the London’s Mayor’s office.

Following considering of exempt information,

RESOLVED

1. Pursuant to Contract Standing Order 17.1,to approve the receipt of a grant for £2,012,000 from Historic England, subject to the Council entering into a funding agreement, to deliver the Tottenham Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) Programme;

2. To grant delegated authority to the Director of Housing, Regeneration and Planning, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance and Regeneration, to approve the final terms of the funding agreement and enter into the agreement on behalf of the Council;

3. To grant delegated authority to the Director of Housing, Regeneration and Planning, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance and Regeneration, and to approve the final Programme Design and any changes thereafter including private contributions to the shopfronts improvement element of the programme;

4. To agree that the properties listed in Appendix 4 of the report (which have been accepted by Historic England for grant funding) will be prioritised for inclusion into the HAZ programme, for subsequently entering into separate legal agreements with each owner for those properties listed in Appendix 4 (exempt).

Reasons for decision

Overall, Bruce Grove’s shopping centre has had a decline in the quality of the street frontages, correlated with low or no private investment, and compounded by signage and advertising hoardings that detract from the appearance of the High Road. Bruce Grove retains broad appeal, where footfall is high, but unit investment is lacking’, reflecting a local business community that is vulnerable to broader market forces affecting high streets.

The Historic Action Zone Grant offered to the Council by Historic England presents a significant opportunity to address the physical, economic, and social issues facing Bruce Grove. It will improve Bruce Grove’s historic identity and provide the catalyst for change and additional investment from private owners. This will encourage existing businesses to commit to the area and grow whilst also encouraging new businesses to locate and grow in the area; thus improving the long-term viability of the Town centre to serve its local residents and broaden its appeal to visitors.

The recommendations in this report allows the Council to receive the grant funding from Historic England and enter into a grant agreement with Historic England to deliver the programme of improvements for Bruce Grove and to commit Council match funding from the approved capital programme.

Alternative options considered

Option 1: ‘Do Nothing’

This option would be for the Council to not accept the grant funding from Historic England, and therefore not enter into a funding agreement. This would prevent the Council from securing £2m in funds from Historic England, which are required to assist in repairing and restoring the historic fabric and open spaces within Bruce Grove Town Centre.

Without intervention, the economic viability of the Town Centre to compete and sustain itself would be adversely affected. This could lead to further deterioration of the historic urban fabric of Bruce Grove and in turn would not provide the catalyst for further investment by private owners nor encourage other businesses to locate into the area.

Option 2:

The recommended option is to accept grant funding from Historic England and enter into a grant agreement. This would enable a catalyst for positive change in Bruce Grove that will not only secure physical Improvements to its historic environment but also will encourage further private investment and broaden the appeal of Bruce Grove to new businesses to locate there. Visitors to the town centre will be encouraged to stay longer that will in-turn help to support existing businesses.