Agenda item

(To receive a report by Ian Walker, Special Projects Officer, in connection with the delivery of the Boat Shed Visitor Centre and Café. This decision is due to be considered by the Executive Councillor for Commercial and Environmental Management on the 25 October 2019. The views of the Committee will be reported to the Executive Councillor as part of his consideration of this item)

Consideration was given to a report which outlined the plans for the conversion of the Huttoft Boat Shed into a visitor centre.  Members were advised that the project would add another quality tourist facility to the Lincolnshire Coast, and would build on the success of the North Sea Observatory and the Gibraltar Point Visitor Centre. 

The project would be funded by the County Council and the GLLEP and the building at Huttoft would replace an existing redundant boat shed, owned by the County Council.  The new building would contain a high quality café, a rooftop viewing deck (protected by glass balustrade) and an external ground levels deck for hosting larger pop-up food and other events.  The building would benefit from floor to ceiling windows (protected when not in use by shutters) giving views inland to the Wolds and North to Sandilands and Sutton on Sea.

It was also reported that the project would include the refurbishment of the existing public toilets, an external shower for beach users and connecting the site to main services for the first time.

The Committee was updated that since the publication of the agenda, planning permission had been granted, and the deadline for the return of tenders was the previous Friday.  Kier were now assessing the tenders and it was expected that the building would open to the public around June 2020.

Members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions to the officers present in relation to the information contained within the report and some of the points raised during discussion included the following:

·         Members commented that they were in favour of this project and that it was great news for the area.  However, it was highlighted that no reference was made to a car parking strategy, but members were advised that an overarching car parking strategy for the whole of the coast was being developed.

·         It was reported that it was being examined how to bring in a parking strategy for the whole of the Lincolnshire coastline, and it was hopeful that this would be agreed in the new year, so there would be uniformity in the approach for the benefit of visitors and the local economy.

·         Concerns were raised that only two toilets would be provided and it was queried whether these facilities would be sufficient considering the expected increase in visitor numbers, as well as taking into account the need for baby changing facilities.  There was also concern that there was not a separate toilet for staff.  It was highlighted that at Chapel Point, there were toilets which were used by staff and the public with no issues, and that was a bigger venue.  It was suggested whether the toilets could both be unisex to try and alleviate pressure.

·         It was queried whether the concerns raised by the Environment Agency in relation to potential flooding had been taken into account, and it was noted that where possible these had been mitigated.  It was also noted that the proposal complied with the Sandilands Act.

·         There was a need for an offer that would attract younger people to the area.  The project would transform this into a much better facility.

·         It was highlighted that this area had been used for many years, and with the English Coastal Path and Coastal County Park this would form part of a wider offer for the area.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Committee support the recommendations to the Executive Councillor for Commercial and Environmental Management.

2.    That the following comments be passed to the Executive Councillor for Commercial and Environmental Management:

·         The Committee recommended the need for a clear and developed overarching car parking strategy for the coastal area. It was agreed that a parking strategy should be developed with other local councils to promote uniformity of parking, with the aim to promote tourism and benefit the local economy.

·         The Committee welcomed the proposals for the refurbishment of the existing public toilets on the site, but highlighted serious concerns in relation to the available capacity of just two toilets to service the facility and surrounding area. The Committee recommended that further consideration was given to ensure adequate toilet facilities were available.

·         The Committee queried whether the concerns highlighted by the Environment Agency that the site was at high risk of flooding had been addressed by a flood risk assessment as part of the planning application. Officers confirmed that work had been undertaken to mitigate the risk of flooding to the site.