Agenda item

Decision:

That this Executive recommends to full Council meeting on 23 July 2024 the approval of:

1     Capital expenditure of £1,133,500 from existing development contributions to improve SANG capacity and improvement of the SANG access infrastructure at Riverside Nature Reserve and Parsonage Water Meadows, and

2     an additional staff resource of one Project Manager Post for project delivery.

Reason(s):

1.            Officers consider the project proposal the most efficient option to maintain SANG capacity to mitigate the recreational pressure resulting from the developments the SANG contributions have been collected from.

2.            The project will deliver necessary works to achieve health and safety compliance under the Occupiers Liability Act 1957.

3.            The delivery of the project will provide added benefits to the Council by demonstrating compliance with the public duties for biodiversity under the Environment Act 2021 and the duties under the Equality Act 2010.

Other options considered and rejected by the Executive:

1.       Do essential safety works only when they occur:

Officers consider that this approach would put the Council at risk of not providing mitigation in perpetuity in accordance with the reason for the payment of the contributions and would not mitigate the recreational pressure resulting from development.

Reason: Significant infrastructure replacement is currently required to fulfil the Occupiers Liability Act 1957 and SANG requirements representing approximately 90% of the cost estimate. Officers consider this approach would carry a risk of insufficient resourcing to deliver the infrastructure replacement in the required timescale, putting the Council at risk of repayment of developer contributions.

2.       Do nothing:

Do nothing will eventually require the Council to close sections of the SANG for safety reasons resulting in non-compliance with the Habitats Directive, and risk of developers seeking repayment of contributions.

Details of any conflict of interest declared by the Leader or lead councillors and any dispensation granted:

Councillor Potter declared a non-pecuniary interest against Item 5 as the Riverside SANG was part located in the ward he represented. Councillor Potter confirmed this would not affect his objectivity in determining the matter.

The Executive considered a report that sought approval to draw down ringfenced SANG (Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace) funding from developer contribution reserves to carry out a capital project for replacement and improvement of the access infrastructure at Riverside Nature Reserve and Parsonage Water Meadows, and to create additional staff resource of one Project Manager Post to deliver the project. In particular, a new boardwalk was required to make the site safely accessible to the public. The site lay along the Wey Navigation running from Burpham to Bellfields.

Councillor Potter had declared a non-pecuniary interest against Item 5 as the Riverside SANG was part located in the ward he represented. Councillor Potter confirmed this would not affect his objectivity in determining the matter.

The Executive noted the importance of SANG in the borough which enabled a more even spread of new development. Much land locally was covered by the Thames Heath Basin Special Protection Area, without SANG, development would be constrained only to certain areas. SANG needed to be local to new developments to encourage residents in those developments to spend recreational time in the SANG rather than on the protected heathland areas. With more development proposed there would be a search for more SANG. Due to its location, the Riverside SANG was an asset accessible to new residents and town centre residents alike.

The new boardwalk would be replaced with long-lasting recycled plastic.

The Executive heard that an access improvement audit had been conducted and consequently there would be increased and improved signage and seating. The site was also flat which made it more accessible to those with mobility scooters, wheelchairs etc. Officers would follow up with the Guildford Access Group to see if any further improvements could be made. The additional staff resource would be able to undertake more consultation and engagement with residents, partners and stakeholders.

The Boardwalk would not be replaced as it was currently positioned. Previously, Riverside had experienced some anti-social behaviour and the new layout would be aimed to ‘design out’ the likelihood of this in future and to make the site safer and more inviting.

Access for firefighting had been an historical issue and the Fire Service had recently attended to walk the site and would draw up a plan to advise officers on how improvements could be made with particular emphasis on access via low bridges and the A3.

It was hoped a circular walk could be created that could be in use all year round.

It was noted that when the Weyside Urban Village site became populated the Riverside Nature Reserve would be extended up to Clay Lane providing a two mile corridor and a four mile round trip walk.

The site was also important to Guildford’s biodiversity and wildlife. The funding would preserve and protect some important fens and wetlands for the next few decades at least.

It was proposed that the investment of the site would create an exemplar of public open spaces. Consequently, the Executive,

RESOLVED:

That this Executive recommends to full Council meeting on 23 July 2024 the approval of:

1     Capital expenditure of £1,133,500 from existing development contributions to improve SANG capacity and improvement of the SANG access infrastructure at Riverside Nature Reserve and Parsonage Water Meadows, and

2     an additional staff resource of one Project Manager Post for project delivery.

Reason(s):

1.            Officers consider the project proposal the most efficient option to maintain SANG capacity to mitigate the recreational pressure resulting from the developments the SANG contributions have been collected from.

2.            The project will deliver necessary works to achieve health and safety compliance under the Occupiers Liability Act 1957.

3.            The delivery of the project will provide added benefits to the Council by demonstrating compliance with the public duties for biodiversity under the Environment Act 2021 and the duties under the Equality Act 2010.