Agenda item

Councillor Joanna Tambourides, the Cabinet Member for Planning and Regulatory Services, and Martin Cowie, the Assistant Director of Regeneration and Strategy Planning introduced a report that outlined the Town Centre Strategies for Edgware and Chipping Barnet.

Edgware Town Centre Strategy:

The Committee considered the Edgware Town Centre Strategy report, which gave an update on the development of the Town Centre Strategies in advance of formal approval by Cabinet in June 2013.  Mr. Cowie advised the Committee that the Strategy aimed to enable infrastructure improvement through development of the town centre and the Broadwalk Shopping Centre.   The Committee were advised that the owners of the Broadwalk Shopping Centre, Scottish Widows, were keen to consider expansion of the centre, including ways to improve the Station Road interchange outside of the Broadwalk Shopping Centre.

The Committee were informed that Town Centre Strategy had been revised following consultation with traders.  The Committee noted that the information gathered had included discussions with Transport for London in relation to the Edgware Underground Station and Bus Station, as well as the owners of the Broadwalk Shopping Centre. 

The Chairman questioned how many responses had been received from residents following consultation on the scheme.  Mr. Cowie advised that he would provide this information outside of the Committee.

Members commented on the importance of rent and parking on the success of town centres. A Member noted that these issues had not been referred to in the report. 

The Chairman advised the Committee that he had received a comment from Cllr. Helena Hart, a Ward Member for Edgware, regarding the Edgware Town Strategy.  She had emphasised the importance of maintaining and increasing the quality and number of shops in the town centre.

A Member noted that there was no longer a cinema in Edgware and advised that it was important to embrace the evening retail experience together with eating out to ensure the success of the town centre.  The Committee stressed the importance of good quality shops to ensure the success of the high street.

Members voiced concern regarding the number of derelict buildings in the area, such as the Railway Hotel, and advised that action should be taken to bring these back into use.

Responding to questions from Members, Mr. Cowie advised that Officers had been in contact with Transport for London regarding operational and environmental issues relating to the town centre. 

The Chairman outlined three factors that were important in attracting people to a town centre:

1)    Security

2)    A no-drinking area

3)    Parking

Chipping Barnet Town Centre Strategy:

Mr.Cowie introduced the draft Chipping Barnet Town Centre Strategy, which went beyond the adopted Planning Framework in focusing on the wider issues facing the town centre including:

·         Improving the mix of land uses, primarily for shops (at ground floor level) but also residential, leisure, employment and community uses;

·         Improving public transport and pedestrian and cycle connections;

·         Improving quality of buildings and public spaces;

·         Promoting a safer and more secure environment;

·         Creating a clear role for the town centre in respect of planned growth

elsewhere such as at Brent Cross.

Mr.Cowie advised the Committee that the Council was in the process of consulting on the draft Town Centre Strategy which would run until 19 March 2013.

A Member commented on the importance of students and education staff in the area, and noted the amount of money that the group would bring to the area by spending. 

A Member referred to parking charges in the area and advised that despite a reduction in parking charges, traders felt that more could be done.  Councillor David Longstaff, the Cabinet Member for Safety and Resident Engagement, and Ward Member for High Barnet advised the Committee that free parking was being trialled.

Responding to a question from a Member about the level of consultation across the business community, the Cabinet Member for Safety and Resident Engagement advised the Committee that consultation had taken place and engaged the full breadth of businesses. 

A Member noted the importance of communicating with Transport for London and stressed the importance of full engagement with elected Members.    

RESOLVED that:-

1.    The Committee note the updates on the Edgware Town Centre Strategy and the Chipping Barnet Town Centre Strategy.

2.    The Committee request that the Assistant Director for Regeneration and Strategy Planning inform the Committee of the number of responses received from the Edgware consultation.

3.    The Committee note the importance of engaging fully with the owners of shopping centres such as the Broadwalk Centre and The Spires Shopping Centre.

4.    The Committee note the progress made in parking policy changes which had assisted in enabling vibrant town centres.

5.    The Committee note the need for security in the redesign of town centres

6.    That Committee note the need for action on derelict properties in Edgware and Chipping Barnet.