PRESENT:          Councillor Mrs S Haywood (Chairman)

Councillors: S P Upcott, F B Vernon, S P Harvey, R Knight and Miss C Upcott

In Attendance: Miss V Pine (Committee Clerk), Mr S Pitcher (Executive Director, Regeneration and Development), Mr D Dodd (Principal of North Devon College), Councillors F Edwards, C Haywood, Mrs V Elkins and R Hawes

As neither the Chairman or the Vice-Chairman were present at the meeting Councillor Upcott as senior councillor called for an election of chairman for this meeting.  Councillor Vernon proposed Councillor Miss Upcott seconded and it was unanimously agreed that Councillor Mrs S Haywood take the Chair for the meeting.

                                                                                                (NC)

The Chairman announced that as this meeting is open to all Councillors any Councillors that are not on the Planning and Transportation Committee but wish to speak may do so with the Chairman's permission.

PT185 APOLOGIES

As recorded on the attendance sheet apologies were received from Councillors Mrs Preston, J Preston, Mrs Eastaugh, J Phillips and Mrs J Hunt. 

PT186 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

The following declarations of interest had been entered on the reverse of the attendance sheet: -

Cllr C Haywood Item No. PT188 Personal as he is a Councillor for the North Devon District Council.

PT187 MINUTES

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on the 16th November 2006 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

                                                                                      (3.3abs)

PT188 RE-LOCATION OF NORTH DEVON COLLEGE

Mr Pitcher gave a presentation to the Committee about the regeneration of Barnstaple.  He explained that there are five main documents governing Barnstaple's regeneration.  Which are the Adopted Local Plan, the Draft Regional Spatial Strategy 2006/2026, the Barnstaple Western Bypass Economic Impact Study 2000, the Barnstaple Our Town 2006/2016 and the Corporate Business Plan 2006/07.

Councillor R Hawes entered the meeting at 7.05pm.

Mr Pitcher explained that as far as the region is concerned Barnstaple is a very significant place and the key issues that need to be addressed are to secure investment, securing high quality design, manage traffic, manage a vibrant town centre and costs vs. benefits.  The key areas for regeneration, which have been identified, are: -

Queen Street/Bear Street

Seven Brethren Bank

Anchorwood Bank

Mill Road area

Other areas, which are in need of regeneration, are: -

The Cattle Market

The Square/Strand area

Rock Park

The objectives of the implementation plan are to maximise investment, achieve high quality and provide co-ordination and timing.  Mr Pitcher explained that the last time this kind of investment was made in Barnstaple was 150 years ago.

Members felt that more park and rides would be needed and a tactic to stop commuters from parking in shoppers short stay car parks in the town centre.  Mr Pitcher informed the Committee that there would be more park and change's.  He explained that it would be called a park and change as people will park their car and change to a different mod of transport whether is be a bus bike or walking.  Mr Pitcher also explained that the amount of short stay parking within the town centre will be retained but the long stay will almost in its entirety move out of town.   

Members pointed out that with more park and rides there would be more buses running in and out of the town centre and asked the North Devon District Council if they have considered electric buses and trams.  Mr Pitcher explained to the Committee that trams are really for much bigger towns and they have not looked into electric buses, but if there are twenty people on the bus then that is probably twenty cars that are not coming into the town centre.

Members also clarified that they do not want the two sides of the town to split there needs to be a vital connection with both sides of the water and they do not want it to disconnect.  With all the areas that are being regenerated and the college moving it was felt that Sticklepath would be left behind and only consist of residential buildings.  Mr Pitcher informed the Committee that Sticklepath would have the community facilities at Anchorwood.  

Mr Dodd presented the Committee with his presentation on the re-location of the college.  Mr Dodd explained to the Committee that Barnstaple is the focal point of North Devon and the College would be acting within the strategy for the town's regeneration.   He informed the Committee that the College serves a wide area, which includes North Devon, Torridge and North Cornwall.  The College leases a lot of premises around Barnstaple and felt it would be appropriate if all buildings were in one place.

Mr Dodd explained that the College's challenge is to encourage people to have more aspiration,

innovation and to stimulate demand and the only way they can achieve this is to be at the heart of the community. 

Mr Dodd presented the Committee with a dvd of a computerised image of what the College would look like.  He explained that the College have assessed the problems with the flooding and the landfill as far as they possibly can.  Mr Dodd informed the Committee that the project will cost around seventy million pounds and they will be looking for most of the money from the Learning and Skills Council.

Mr Dodd felt that this new scheme would bring more economy to the town with more students and staff investing in the businesses within the town.  He also felt that the College would be able to provide a wider range of courses so less students would have to travel to places like Plymouth for the courses they wish to undertake.

Mr Dodd explained to the Committee that the College would not be providing parking for students or staff and they would be expected to use public transport and the park and changes.

The Committee asked if there would be any private money involved with the scheme.  Mr Dodd informed the Committee that at this stage there is not any private money involved.  Once the College has secured the large proportion of the money from the Learning and Skills Council they would approach businesses.

The Committee were concerned that the parking that would be available at Seven Brethren would be taken up with students and staff parking in the car park.  The Committee were informed that this car park would remain a pay and display car park and the prices would be quite expensive and they do not envisage that students will be able to afford to park there on a regular basis.  The Committee asked if the College have thought about consideration to residents with students parking around residential areas.  The Committee were informed that it will be better for residents with the way in which the College address this issue.

The Committee asked if this would have any impact on the sixth forms in other schools.  Mr Dodd explained that they have a very good relationship with the other schools and they do not wish to target students, which are already in education, they are trying to encourage those who are not in education to enrol.  The Committee also asked if the new College would include sustainable resources of energy.  Mr Dodd informed the Committee that the College will be incorporating environmental factors into the build as far as possible.

The Committee felt that this site should mirror the Anchorwood side to try and extend the night time economy.  The College should be a good quality build and should not be another tin building.

Meeting closed at 8.50pm

Chairman