Agenda item

(Director of Neighbourhoods) To consider the attached report AMED-003-2017/18.

The Council’s Asset Management Development Consultant, Mr C Pasterfield presented a report to the Cabinet Committee with regard to the current progress on the development of the Epping Forest Shopping Park. He advised that practical completion of the Shopping Park had been achieved on the 19 June 2017 and control had been handed over to the Council. There were some minor snagging issues and the building contractors were working to remedy these.

The day to day management of the Shopping Park was being handled by Savills which included security and cleaning and they would be reporting to the Council’s Estates Management department.

The tenants which had completed and exchanged contracts were Next, TK Maxx, Smyths Toys, Hobbycraft, Pets at Home and Aldi. On the 26 June, three of the tenants had taken occupation of their units and had started their shop fitting works. There were three more lettings in the hands of solicitors and this left one small unit and two larger units to be let. Mr Pasterfield advised that there was a healthy interest in the last three units which the Council were currently considering. He added that it was important to get the right mix of tenants in the Shopping Park.

There was no date for the official opening of the Epping Forest Shopping Park but it was anticipated that it would be on the lead up to the Christmas Shopping period. However some of the units would be open before the official opening and advertising for staff was taking place. Hobbycraft would like to be ready to open for business on the 3 August, Smyths Toys and T K Maxx at the end of August. Pets at Home will take possession of their unit on 17 July and anticipate opening in September and Aldi estimate they would be ready to open at the end of October. Next are doing major alterations to their unit but will be ready to open before the run up to Christmas

Section 278 Road Works

Mr Pasterfield advised that the road works were progressing. The new traffic light system at the junction with Abridge Road was now active and the traffic now seemed to be flowing smoothly through this junction. The roundabout at the Broadway would be completed within two weeks and the traffic lights at Langston Road, Chigwell Road and Oakwood Hill would be completed by the end of August. The resurfacing work had been done at night and this was now complete. The road markings would be completed by the end of the week and the footpath would be finished after the street lights were connected.

Where roads were being planed off such as Langston Road and Chigwell Lane a joint inspection with Essex County Council Highways had taken place to agree any repairs. Structural repairs would be paid for by Essex County Council and they would decide what method they preferred to complete the repairs.

Barrington Green South, by Sainsbury’s on the Broadway had not yet been planed off as this was a low level priority in respect of completing the major roadworks.

Councillor Mohindra asked if there was a mechanism in place, for the works the Council were responsible for, would the Council be required to go back and sort it out or would this be handed over to Essex County Council. Mr Pasterfield replied that there would be in place a defects liability period with the contract which would last for 12 months.

Councillor Waller asked when the vehicle electric charging points would go active. Mr Pasterfield advised that they were active now.

At the Chairman’s discretion, the meeting then went into private session to discuss individual tenants and their requirements, which were commercially sensitive.

Resolved:

That the progress on the Council’s Epping Forest Shopping Park was noted.

Reasons for Decision:

To comply with the Cabinet Committee’s previous request to monitor the development of the Shopping Park on a regular basis.

Other Options Considered and Rejected:

None, as this was a monitoring report for information not action.