Hampshire County Council

Executive Member, Policy & Resources Item

11 April 2002

Bark Store and Parish Quay, Church Lane, Botley - Future Use

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

1

Summary

1.1

The following decisions are sought:

That, subject to the grant of planning permission where appropriate and completion of the minor works to the building, approval be given to the following occupation arrangements on terms and conditions to be settled by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Head of Estates Practice):

i)

occupation on a short-term basis of the ground floor of the Bark Store by the Fairthorne Manor Canoe Club and local boat owners, primarily for storage purposes; and

ii)

the grant of a long-term lease at a peppercorn rent of the Parish Quay to Botley Parish Council so that a scheme of improvements can be implemented.

2

Reasons

2.1

The vacant building needs to be brought into beneficial use and there is an opportunity to enhance the adjoining Parish Quay for the benefit of the local community.

3

Other options considered and rejected

3.1

None

4

Conflicts of interest declared by the decision-maker or a member or officer consulted

4.1

None known

5

Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

5.1

Not applicable

6

Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

6.1

Not applicable

Approved by:

..........................

Date of decision:

.........................

Councillor T K Thornber

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member, Policy & Resources Item

11 April 2002

Bark Store and Parish Quay, Church Lane, Botley - Future Use

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

1

Background

1.1

The Bark Store was acquired by the County Council in February 1993 at nil consideration pursuant to a Planning Agreement made in respect of adjoining land which has since been intensively developed for housing purposes. Since purchase, work has been undertaken to the building to stabilise the structure and provide some basic uses. Day-to-day management of the building rests with the Park Manager at the nearby Manor Farm Country Park, although the building remains vacant. The former Land Sub-Committee requested that conversion of the building to form a museum be considered. This has never been implemented.

1.2

The 1993 purchase included 0.21 hectares (0.52 acres) of adjoining land located on the banks of the upper tidal reaches of the River Hamble, and known as the Parish Quay. The Conveyance to the County Council requires that the land remains as public open space.

2

The Bark Store

2.1

Preliminary consideration was given to the creation of a museum at the Bark Store and it was concluded that such use would not be appropriate for the building. The property is poorly located for this use, the project would be expensive to implement and the concept did not generate local support.

2.2

A further option has emerged whereby the building, or part of it, might be used in connection with management of the Upper Hamble. With local community support and participation, an opportunity exists for developing public education and local involvement in the conservation of the Hamble River.

2.3

It is proposed that a scheme be developed which would bring the building into use in connection with the conservation and management of the Upper Hamble.

2.4

Pending implementation of any such scheme, it is considered important that some use and occupation of the building is now achieved. In this respect, the Fairthorne Manor Canoe Club and the local group of boat owners have asked whether they might be permitted to use the ground floor of the building for canoe and boat storage and for small meetings. This could be arranged under a short-term licence or tenancy agreement and it is proposed to proceed with this use.

3

Parish Quay

3.1

The adjoining Parish Quay has the potential to be transformed into an attractive public open space providing good access to the River. Botley Parish Council has for some years had plans for improving this area and wishes to implement a landscaping scheme with seating and picnic tables. There are also proposals to renovate the old slipway.

3.2

It is considered that these ambitions should be supported (given some public access) and a long-term lease at a peppercorn rent be granted to the Parish Council to enable the scheme to proceed. The Parish Council would be required to submit detailed proposals of any works for the County Council's approval.

4

Financial Implications

4.1

The proposed lease of the Parish Quay would be at a peppercorn rent and the Parish Council would be required to implement the scheme of improvements at its own expense.

Recommendations

1

That, subject to the grant of planning permission where appropriate and completion of the minor works to the building, approval be given to the following occupation arrangements on terms and conditions to be settled by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Head of Estates Practice):

i)

occupation on a short-term basis of the ground floor of the Bark Store by the Fairthorne Manor Canoe Club and local boat owners, primarily for storage purposes; and

ii)

the grant of a long-term lease at a peppercorn rent of the Parish Quay to Botley Parish Council so that a scheme of improvements can be implemented.