Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance, (copy enclosed).

Supplementary to the report, Members are to receive a presentation from the Specialist – Local Plan on the following:

·       Tesco Free Bus Service;

·       Maldon and Heybridge Central Area Masterplan’s ‘Parking Strategy.’

Members of the Committee received a presentation from the Strategic Theme Lead on the Section 106 (S106) Agreement between Tesco Stores Limited, Essex County Council (ECC) and Maldon District Council (MDC).  This covered a schedule of requirements to be provided by Tesco Stores Limited including a free Bus Service.

The Strategic Theme Lead advised Members that whilst the bus service had been provided the outstanding requirements had yet to be delivered by Tesco Stores Limited.

In accordance with the presentation and in response to Members’ questions, the Strategic Theme Lead provided the following update:-

Tesco Stores Limited Free Bus Service

In 1999 a S106 was signed agreeing to the extension of the store. The terms required Tesco Stores Limited to secure transportation improvements in the guise of a free bus service to improve access to the Town Centre.

This included up to 50 free car parking spaces were allocated for the free bus service.  Restrictions included a maximum of 4 hours free parking with the exclusion of bank holidays and Christmas.  It was noted that the onus was on Tesco Stores Limited to determine how this was monitored and enforced.

The agreement included a review clause, requiring Tesco Stores Limited to appropriately display the route information, ensure effective operation of the service through regular monitoring, and encourage use through various initiatives.

As part of the agreement Travel Plan Co-Ordinator (TPC) should have been employed to survey and monitor the scheme, which included the roll out of staff and public incentives.  The TPC was expected to have liaised with MDC and ECC on an annual basis to review the scheme. 

Of the planning obligations which were part of the S106 agreement it was noted that highway works on the Fullbridge crossing and River Chelmer embankment works were complete, the 50 free carparking spaces remained available at Tescos and that Tesco Stores Limited were exercising their right to enforce the 4-hour time limit.

 
It was also acknowledged that the 5-yearly review of the bus service has not been actioned since 2001 and the marketing plan for the free bus route remained outstanding.

THE MALDON AND HEYBRIDGE CENTRAL AREA MASTERPLAN'S (CAMP) PARKING STRATEGY

Objectives of the Maldon and Heybridge Central Area Masterplan (CAMP) SPD (adopted November 2017) were to actively manage traffic, visitors and parking within the town centre, and provide enhanced pubic transport.  It was previously noted that the town centre carparks were near capacity with limited space for extension.

Since CAMP was adopted, an additional 400 spaces were being provided at the peripheral of the town centre and the site for the new Travelodge Hotel.  The free bus service operated by Tesco had been incorporated and included a new Park and Ride facility to be connected to the current Free bus route at the Blackwater Leisure Centre.

The LDP had been prepared and considered management of the air quality on Market Hill, with policies around growth informed through consultations.

In conclusion, it was noted that the LDP had been prepared with stakeholder consultation, which was used to inform the strategic policies relating to housing, economic growth and highway transportation.  As part of the CAMP consultations, improvement to connectivity and movement for pedestrians and cyclists had been identified.

S106 Obligations to ongoing development within the Garden Suburbs required the provision of new bus stops, shelters and services.  It was noted that a national bus strategy was recently launched, and it was anticipated that this could provide further funding for local authorities on sustainable transport.

Next Steps

Communications with Essex County Council and Sustainable Travel Team have advised that there had been no response on the application had been received since 24 October 2008.  While it was suspected that Tesco Stores Limited and Stephenson’s of Essex negotiated changes to the route independently of ECC and MDC, no monitoring had been undertaken by ECC on the travel plan for the Tesco site.

ECC would be looking to identify why the aforementioned obligations had not been actioned.  It was noted that ECC had contributed £3000.00 towards the review.

The Local Plan Specialist had liaised with Tesco Stores Limited to understand the service delivered by Stephenson’s of Essex.

As Market Hill is on the bus route, the Air Quality Management Area Action Plan Steering Group would be consulted.

The Maldon and Heybridge Central Area Plan had started delivering on projects which would ensure that parking strategy, movement, connectivity framework was considered in future negotiations.  It was expected that Tesco Stores Limited would demonstrate the usage of the bus route.

The brief discussion which followed had Members concur that Tesco Stores Limited had neglected their obligations.

RESOLVED

(i)              that an update be provided to the December meeting of this Committee.

(ii)            that the Committee notes the report as background to the PowerPoint presentation.