Following responses to WAQ73350 and WAQ73351, will the Cabinet Secretary confirm when he received the commercial advice recommending that site investigation work and town planning consent should be completed prior to going to tender in relation to the SA1 car park?
I have previously advised that my officials were preparing draft contract terms to procure a multi storey car park developer, with a view to going to tender in September 2016. This date was originally identified following advice from our marketing agents who recommended that more interest was likely to be generated with potential developers after the summer period. Subsequent advice recommended that, in order to give prospective developers greater certainty when preparing their bid, WG should complete site investigation works and achieve a town planning consent for the multi storey car park site. This was actioned at the end of October 2016 and appropriate expertise was procured to oversee and complete this work.
To date, the intrusive site investigation work has been completed. Gas and water monitoring continues with the final site investigation report expected in approximately 8 weeks time. The pre-planning application was submitted in February 2017. Subject to final revisions to the planning drawings being agreed with the local planning officer, the reserved matters planning application could be submitted within the next 2-3 weeks. We would expect to receive a determination of the application by late July/August 2017.
I would also note that there is currently sufficient surface level car parking for the development.