AGENDA ITEM NO. 9

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
26 JULY 2010

LAND AT NEWCASTLE EMLYN CAR PARK

RECOMMENDATIONS / KEY DECISIONS REQUIRED: That the Council’s car park land be included in proposed food retail development in conjunction with adjoining land ownership.

REASONS: 1) Disposal would generate a capital receipt 2) The terms of disposal could require retention of car parking facilities for use by visitors to the town centre 3) Executive Board approval is required for disposals which would have a major effect on the commercial activity of an area

Relevant Scrutiny Committee Consulted NO Exec Board Decision Required YES Council Decision Required NO

Directorate RESOURCES Name of Head of Service: JONATHAN FEARN Report Author: CYRIL DAVIES

Designations: HEAD OF CORPORATE PROPERTY PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT ADVISOR

Tel Nos. 01267 246244 E Mail Addresses: jfearn@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
26 JULY 2010

LAND AT NEWCASTLE EMLYN CAR PARK

The County Council owns approximately 0,2 Hectares (0.5 Acres) of land at Newcastle Emlyn currently used as a car park providing 67 spaces The area is surrounded by land owned by Cawdor Cars and used for their Vauxhall dealership. The owner of Cawdor Cars has submitted a planning application for a foodstore on the overall area, which amounts to a total of approximately 1.01 Hectares (2.5 Acres). If approved this would also provide car parking for 114 cars. The owner of the Cawdor Cars has asked the County Council to dispose of its land as part of the overall development in the event of planning permission being obtained. It is recommended that the County Council releases its land as replacement car parking will be provided as part of the store and the disposal would generate a capital receipt to the Authority. Transport has commented on the proposal as set out below: Newcastle Emlyn has a public car parking capacity of 216 spaces with 67 of the 216 spaces provided by the Cawdor Car Park. Utilisation of the car parks is high with all car parks full at the peak time. On the random sample surveys of ticket purchases the average demand between 10 a.m and 4:00 pm was 187 i.e. 86% of capacity on a typical day and at peak season the average hourly demand is for 239 spaces, 110% of capacity. A loss of the 67 public car parking spaces during the construction period, will add to congestion in the town causing disruption to the public transport system for the Cardigan to Carmarthen and Bwcabus services. The Authority's approved Parking strategy confirms that the Authority will encourage in town developments to charge for parking provision in line with the charging regime set by the County Council to ensure consistent and managed provision of parking space with the town centre. The Town Council is lobbying for more parking in the town. The car parking provision at the new store may be available for limited parking but will not be a public car park as it will be under private control
DETAILED REPORT ATTACHED ?	NO

INTEGRATION

I confirm that the Community Strategy Integration Tool has: Not been used to appraise the subject of this report as it is not appropriate to do so. Signed: Jonathan Fearn Head of Corporate Property

IMPLICATIONS

I confirm that other than those implications which have been agreed with the appropriate Directors / Heads of Service and are referred to in detail below, there are no other implications associated with this report : Signed: Jonathan Fearn Head of Corporate Property

Policy, Crime & Disorder and Equalities	Legal	Finance	ICT	Risk Management Issues	Staffing Implications	Physical Assets
NONE	YES	YES	NONE	NONE	NONE	YES

Legal A joint development agreement will be required.

Finance The proposed disposal would generate a capital receipt, but the Authority would lose approximately £12,000 p.a. gross car parking income

Physical Assets There would be loss of public car parking for the town, but appropriate terms would be included to require the food store operator to make the car park available for public, as well as customer, use

CONSULTATIONS

I confirm that the appropriate consultations have taken in place and the outcomes are as detailed below Signed: Jonathan Fearn Head of Corporate Property

1.Local Member(s) The local Member supports the proposed disposal, subject to appropriate open car parking provisions being included to ensure sufficient car parking for the town centre 2.Community / Town Council N/A 3.Relevant Partners N/A 4.Staff Side Representatives and other Organisations N/A

Section 100D Local Government Act, 1972 – Access to Information List of Background Papers used in the preparation of this report: THERE ARE NONE