Leisure Media Issue 3 2009 - Leisure Opportunities

NEWSPropertyWeston pier scheme back on trackPlans for the £34m redevelopment ofthe Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mareare back on track after the owners ofthe 104-year old attraction reachedan agreement with North SomersetCouncil (NSC).Pier owner Kerry Michael hadwarned that the project was at risk ofbeing shelved after claiming that thecouncil had “moved the goalposts” ina dispute over legal costs and the constructionof a new bus lay-by, as wellas the installation of a seafront trafficlight system.However, the Grand Pier is nowexpected to reopen as planned in summer2010 after a series of negotiationsbetween NSC and Michael resultedin an agreement that has ensured thescheme remains on track.The newly-built pier is scheduled to open in summer 2010Michael said: “We have workedthrough the issues to reach a solutionwhich is acceptable to all. Once the keydecision makers were all together, wevery quickly reached an agreement andafter that it was just a matter of puttingthe relevant professionals together toformalise the agreement.Birminghamdesigns unveiledBirmingham City Council (BCC) hasunveiled its preferred design proposalsfor a new £1.5m public square, whichis set to be created in the centre of thecity’s historic Jewellery Quarter.Plans put forward by Birminghambasedarchitects Capita Lovejoy havebeen selected by the council after localresidents were invited to comment onproposals from six shortlisted companiesduring April and May.At the heart of the designs for thenew ‘Golden Square’ is a series of‘exposed seams’, pointing towards thetraditional material sources used in theJewellery Quarter, which is responsiblefor 40 per cent of all jewellery made inthe UK each year. Green spaces, seating,fountains and lighting are alsoincorporated in the plans.Two-year planning extension for developersLeisure developers are now able toretain their planning permission fromWestminster City Council for up to fiveyears in a move to help projects thatare put on hold during the downturn.The council, which originally alloweddevelopers to keep their permissionvalid for up to three years, has introducedthe extension so applicants canavoid the lengthy process of resubmission,or the risk of its project beingscrapped due to the long-term uncertainty.The extension will be suppliedThe plans include a ‘Golden Square’at the council’s discretion if a reasonablecase is made.Cllr Robert Davis, Westminster CityCouncil’s deputy leader, said: “As thelargest planning authority in the countrywe receive more applications thanany other borough and our aim is tohelp as many developers as possiblemake these plans a reality.”Applicants who have already submittedan application will also be consideredfor an extension provided theycontact their case officer.The stadium will hold 30,000 fansBristol City intalks over stadiumA new supermarket developmenton the site of the Ashton Gate stadiumin Bristol could help to fundBristol City Football Club’s (BCFC)new 30,000-seat venue planned forthe outskirts of the city.The club has confirmed that itis in talks with supermarket giantTesco over the proposals, whichare meant to ensure the FootballLeague Championship outfitreceives the maximum value for thesite in order to finance the scheme.It comes as BCFC groupchief executive, Colin Sexstone,announced that the new stadium,which will be built on a42-acre (17-hectare) site near theLong Ashton park and ride facility,will be prepared to form part ofEngland’s World Cup bid for 2018.16 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digitalISSUE 3 2009 © cybertrek 2009