HISTORY
In 2003 Skipton gained the Regional Development Agency’s Renaissance Market Town status, which produced a long term Masterplan and in turn a Delivery Plan.  The original Skipton Developments project was drawn together as a result of the Masterplan and Delivery Plan.

Initially the project encompassed:

·        The Coach Street and Canal Basin car parks for decked parking and residential/commercial

·        Cavendish Street car park for decked parking

·        The Town Hall car park for decked parking and residential/commercial

·        The refurbishment of the Town Hall

·        The re-development of 9 High Street

·        Granville Street (site of current Council Offices) for residential

·        The Horse Close site was a late addition (2005) to the scheme for residential, although the Council had previously taken the decision to allocate this site for housing

In November 2004 the Council held a public consultation to gain the public’s views of the ideas for each of the sites. At this time it also included the relocation of Council Offices together with North Yorkshire County Council services as a one stop shop on the Coach Street car park.

As a result of feedback received at the consultation amendments were made to the plans and a second public consultation was held in June 2005.  Again this provoked a high degree of interest and feedback from the public which resulted, in February 2006, in the Council taking the decision to reduce the scheme to:

PROCUREMENT

Following the decision to reduce the scheme in February 2006 it was scoped and developed which gained approval by the Council in December 2006.  This also provided the required approval to advertise for expressions of interest from prospective strategic development partners.

Adverts were placed and the contract notice placed on the Official Journal for the European Union (OJEU) website in early January 2007.

As a result of advertising a total of 26 pre-qualification questionnaires were submitted in February 2007 from which 6 potential strategic development partners were shortlisted.

Throughout the early stages of the procurement process 3 of the 6 who had been shortlisted withdrew from the process and the remaining 3 submitted their stage 1 masterplans.  Following evaluation of the stage 1 masterplans a stage 2 refined needs and requirements brief was drawn up and the three shortlisted companies invited to submit stage 2 detailed proposals.

As part of the stage 2 development of proposals the three companies took part in a public consultation event in September 2007 where members of the public had the opportunity to view and comment on each of the three proposals and designs and for the potential strategic partners to be able to respond to public opinion and to shape their proposals accordingly.

Following the public consultation and prior to submission of stage 2 proposals 1 of the three companies advised the Council that they were no longer in a position to continue, which is not unusual in this type of procurement process.

Therefore the two remaining companies submitted their stage 2 proposals and again following evaluation the stage 3 tender document was developed with further refinements to the Council’s needs and requirements.

SELECTION

The stage 3 tenders were submitted on the 10th March 2008 where they were again evaluated and a decision was taken in April 2008 by the Chief Executive who had delegated authority in consultation with the Council’s Group Leaders to make the decision on the successful strategic partner.

It was clear that the submission made by Accent was the most economically advantageous to the Council scoring more highly than the Lovell bid.

 
View The Accent Group's Website Here

NEXT STEPS

Following contract close the next stage is for Accent to submit planning applications for each site within the scheme.  It is intended that these applications will be submitted at the same time in around June 2008.

The current time plan is to start works on Horse Close and 9 High Street in around September 2008 followed by the Town Hall in December 2008. However, these are subject to planning permission being granted. Granville Street is scheduled for commencement in the spring of 2010.

PROGRAMME OF INVESTMENT IN SKIPTON

Over the next 5 years the Skipton Developments project will invest a total of £70 million into Skipton through the provision of new housing including 40% affordable housing on each site where residential units will be built, new retail outlets and public space and the restoration and revitalisation of the towns Historic Town Hall.

COMMUNICATION

The Council will be contacting its regular users of the Town Hall to make interim arrangements for continuing their activity whilst it is closed during the building period.

QUOTE FROM THE LEADER

“This is a historic moment for the Council and a milestone for the future prosperity and success of Skipton.  Over the past four years, we have listened long and hard to what Craven residents have had to say about the development.  Their comments and opinions have played a significant part in determining how we go forward”, said Carl Lis, Leader of Craven District Council.

“The proposals put forward by the Accent Group will help maintain Skipton as Yorkshires’ premier market town through the creation of new sustainable housing, new retail outlets as well as a contemporary cultural centre.

We were especially enthused to hear of Accents’ willingness to engage and work with the local community” added Carl.