Issue - meetings

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director – Environment seeking authority for the appropriation for planning purposes for the Mersey Gateway Development of areas of Council-owned land at St. Michael’s Jubilee Golf Course and west of the Central Expressway (shown on plans at Appendix 1 to the report) as provided for by Section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972 in order to facilitate the Mersey Gateway Project.

It was noted that some of the land required for the Mersey Gateway Project was already owned by the Council. In particular, the Council owned two areas of land which were currently used for informal recreation by the public. One of these areas was at St. Michael’s Jubilee Golf Course which was currently disused as a golf course whilst remediation of underlying contaminated land was undertaken. The second area was an area of land west of the central expressway and south of the Bridgewater Canal which, being near to residential properties, was used for informal recreation by local residents. Both these areas were defined as Open Space.

The appropriation of the land for planning purposes from Open Space purposes as proposed by the report was appropriate in view of the Council’s commitment to the Mersey Gateway Project as the areas in question were required for it. It would also ensure that any existing rights or restrictions over the land, which could prevent the Mersey Gateway Project from proceeding, could be overridden and would obviate the need for special Parliamentary procedures to be followed to obtain the necessary orders for the project.

If the land on St. Michael’s Jubilee Golf Course was appropriated, it would still be possible for the Golf Course to be re-opened at a future date, notwithstanding the loss of part of it for the purposes of the Mersey Gateway Project. Similarly, sufficient open space would be left adjacent to the Central Expressway to allow the informal recreational use there to continue.

Further information regarding appropriation and implications was outlined within the report for the Board’s consideration. It was advised that, on 13^th March and 20^th March 2008, notice had been published of the Council’s intention to appropriate land at St. Michael’s Jubilee Golf Course and land west of the Central Expressway for the purposes of the Mersey Gateway Development, inviting representations. The period allowed for representations had expired on 3^rd April 2008 and none had been received in respect of this matter whatsoever.

Reasons for Decision

The appropriation of land proposals were required to support the making of the Mersey Gateway CPO Order.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

The proposed appropriation was intended to reduce the risks in delivering the Mersey Gateway Project against the “do nothing” option.

Implementation Date

If approved, with immediate effect.

RESOLVED: That the appropriation be approved with immediate effect of the Council owned land shown on the plans attached to the report for planning purposes pursuant to Section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972.