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JOINT REPORT OF THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF URBAN VISION AND

NEW DEAL FOR COMMUNITIES CHIEF EXECUTIVE

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TO

LEAD MEMBER FOR CHIEF EXECUTIVES on 8th May 2006

JOINT LEAD MEMBER FOR PLANNING & HOUSING on 8th May 2006

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TITLE: WHIT LANE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS

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RECOMMENDATIONS:

Lead Member for Chief Executives

1.0  That the sketch scheme be approved and that Urban Vision be authorised to procure the works

Lead Member for Housing and Lead Member for Planning

2.0 That the report be noted.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: To approve the sketch scheme and to proceed with the detailed design and procuring of the works.

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BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS: Drawing numbers L1523 / L /B01 rev

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ASSESSMENT OF RISK: Low

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SOURCE OF FUNDING: NDC and NPHL

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LEGAL IMPLICATIONS: None

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FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS; Total expenditure of £600,000 including fees, breakdown of costs as shown in the report

COMMUNICATION IMPLICATIONS: N/A

CLIENT IMPLICATIONS: Consultation was carried out with New Deal for Communities and New Prospect Housing Ltd

PROPERTY: N/A

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HUMAN RESOURCES:N/A

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CONTACT OFFICER: NDC

Principal Officer: Derek Wunderley 0161 607 8541

Urban Vision for drawings: Stella Peterson 0161 779 6048

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WARD(S) TO WHICH REPORT RELATE(S): Charlestown

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KEY COUNCIL POLICIES: NDC Development Framework

Salford Community Plan: The project will contribute towards the themes of ‘A City that’s good to live in’.

Salford City Council Pledges: This project complies with Salford City Council Pledges 1,2 and 7

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DETAILS:

1.0 PURPOSE OF THE REPORT

1.1  To report on the sketch scheme for Whit Lane Environmental Improvements.

2.0 BACKGROUND

2.1  The Whit Lane estate is an area of Radburn style housing which is subject to particular issues. The housing is a mixture of self contained houses and flats arranged in terraced blocks which face internally within a network of irregular footpaths, vehicular roads and cul-de-sacs. Most properties have private gardens front and rear with the cottage flats positioned within areas of unsecured public or semi-public green space.

2.2  Most properties have off street parking however there are a number of issues with the parking provision in that it is not available to every property and where it does exist, it can be too small to accommodate a vehicle behind a closed, locked gate. Boundary treatments, in particular driveway and pedestrian gates, are in a poor state or completely absent leading to compromised vehicular and personal security and poor visual appearance of the estate as a whole.

2.3  The blocks of cottage flats to Whit Lane, Dunedin Drive and Culverton Walk are particularly vulnerable by virtue of their position adjacent to areas of public space. This is exacerbated by an absence of any boundary treatments.

2.4  The area in and around Indigo Walk is currently pedestrian only, although motorists cross it to get to their properties. Because properties can only be accessed this way, this potential conflict between pedestrians and motorists represents a safety hazard.

2.5  Detailed consultations have been undertaken with each private owner and New Prospect Housing tenants, resulting in the sketch scheme. The proposals have been favourably received.

2.6  Charlestown and Lower Kersal New Deal For Communities partnership approved the scheme and costings at its Appraisal Panel meeting of November 2005.

3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

3.1 The proposed scheme will provide extended and additional in-curtilage parking, new gates and improvements to boundary fencing. Dropped kerbs will be constructed for existing and proposed parking places. Full details are shown on drawing No L1523 /L/B01 Rev E

3.2 The standard sketch scheme consultation has been undertaken with all directorates of the City Council and external public agencies whose land is affected.

3.3 Full planning permission was granted for the scheme in May 2004 following detailed consultation with owners and NPHL tenants.

3.4 The estimated cost of the works, including fees, is £600,000

3.5 The scheme will be implemented by one of Salford City Council's landscape partner contractors.

4.0 FUNDING

4.1 The project will be funded as follows:

·  NDC £350,000 (Ph1 2005-06 of the Area Development Framework)

·  NPHL £250,000 (Capital Programme)

2004/05 / 2005/06 / 2006/07 / Total
Works / 495,571 / 495,571
Fees / 18,764 / 8,072 / 72,587 / 80,659
Other (Surveying fees) / 5,000
Total / 18,764 / 8,072 / 573,158 / 581,230
Phasing Phasing of work expenditure 2006/2007
Apr / May / June / July / Aug / Sept / Oct / Nov / Dec / Jan / Feb / Mar / Total
40,000 / 95,000 / 120,000 / 100,000 / 95,000 / 100,000 / 23,158 / 573,158

5.0 CONCLUSION

5.1 Approval of the sketch scheme will enable the scheme to progress to the detailed design stage, and for the subsequent procurement of the works.

Tim Field, New Deal For Communities, Chief Executive

Bill Taylor, Managing Director, Urban Vision Partnership Ltd