Agenda item - Valley Gardens Proposed Green Space Design

Report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture

1)           That the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee approves the Preliminary Green Space Design for Valley Gardens (Phase 1 & 2), as presented in Appendix 1  and authorises officers to progress to the Detailed Green Space Design stage, including initiating the associated planning application process. 

2)           That the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee approve the instigation of the procedure to exchange highway to appropriate green space to support the proposed preliminary design as explained in Section 7.

12.1      The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture that provided the committee with an overview of the project history and requested approval of the preferred Preliminary Green Space design.

12.2      Councillor Wares expressed his disappointment that the Leader of the Council had made statements about his group’s position on the future of the Mazda Fountain adding that the matter had been discussed positively up to that point. Councillor Wares stated that he was encouraged by the lighting improvements but it was very important that lessons had been learned from the renovation of the Level. Councillor Wares stated his support for dedicated spaces for events that was an important factor both for the cultural diversity of the city and financially. Councillor Wares enquired whether the green space around Valley Gardens would be designed in such a way that it could cope with the heavy vehicles that would need to be used for events.

12.3      The Senior Project Manager stated that the lighting in Valley Gardens had been given extensive focus both in terms of maximising public safety at night and reviewing and learning from the lighting installed at the Level. The Senior Project Manager added that the area had its own Event Strategy that identified designated hard surface and grass areas for events in Valley Gardens. Where larger events were hosted, a set of specification had been devised to reduce any impact on the grassed areas.

12.4      Councillor Brown stated that she was pleased that the Elm trees were being retained and enquired as to the maturity of the additional trees to be planted adding that these should be sturdy and protected.

12.5      The Senior Project Manager clarified that the majority of species of additional trees to be planted would be semi-mature and a minimum height of 3 metres. Elms trees naturally bed into the surface at a lower level and would need to be protected with stakes and hoarding until they reached maturity.

12.6      Councillor Littman praised the report and the quality of the design. Councillor Littman agreed with the earlier comment made by Councillor Wares relating to statements made by the Leader of the Council that he too had found disappointing. Furthermore, Councillor Littman observed that many of the policies and projects considered by the committee at the meeting had been negatively received by the current administration when they had been in opposition but were now positively promoted.

12.7      The Chair stated that a number of concerns had been raised regarding a number of aspects of the Valley Garden scheme inherited by the current administration that now had the responsibility of ensuring the scheme was right under the constraints inherited in terms of the business case and funding.

12.8      Councillor West welcomed the support of the Chair for the Valley Gardens project but noted his disappointment that enthusiasm was not shared by the Leader of the Council. Councillor West stated that the project was critically important for the city as a public realm space, transport link and as a welcome for visitors. Councillor West stated that the project had been delayed for a number of years and in his view, the current administration was stalling work further. Councillor West added that his group would be supportive in pushing the scheme through but he did believe that the ambition of the original design had diminished. It was critical to look at additional funding to improve the public realm space, perhaps through ring-fenced funding as this was a space not currently used that would quickly become heavily used and keeping high standards would not be possible through maintenance funding alone. Specifically, Councillor West felt there needed to be an increase in hard standing and adequate reinforced areas to ensure the Gardens were kept in good conditions after events. Councillor West stated that personally he did not agree with the retention of the Mazda Fountain as its operational costs were a waste and could not be justified.

12.9      Councillor Nemeth enquired as to what additional utilities would be provided to those hosting events such as electricity.

12.10   The Senior Project Manager stated that a three phase power supply would be in place in key locations that would help reduce the need for generators and in turn, heavy equipment.

12.11   Councillor Nemeth asked if there would be a water or broadband supply.

12.12   The Senior Project Manager stated that power was currently the main focus but other utilities could be looked into during the detailed design stage.

12.13   Councillor Peltzer Dunn stated whilst he hoped the scheme could be as successful as possible, he was fearful that the increased level of footfall would mean the Gardens would be unable to cope. Councillor Peltzer Dunn asked if specific trees and plants had been considered to reduce the impact of emissions in the area.

12.14   The Senior Project Manager replied that the appointed landscape architects for the project had been specifically asked for trees and plants that would that would assist in reducing airborne pollutants. Furthermore, the location of footways and cycle paths had been intentionally designed to be away from the majority of pollutants from vehicles.

12.15   Councillor Wares asked how much space was currently used for events and how much had been identified in the proposed design.

12.16   The Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture replied that the majority of use of Valley Gardens was for Brighton Fringe Festival during the month of May each year. Discussions had been held with representatives of Brighton Fringe on the future of events in Valley Gardens. The  Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture stated that included reviewing this year’s festival that had been the most popular held and how improvements could be made for future years. Secondly, discussions had been held on how the Fringe could be supported during the construction phase and thirdly, looking at a sustainable future for the Fringe. The Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture stated that the detailed design not only considered how Valley Gardens could support the Fringe in terms of event space but also how it could provide event space all year round that would assist in generating income for maintenance. That included consideration to bringing forward three phase electricity that would benefit organisers in reducing the cost of operating generators, the city in reducing diesel emissions and increasing the amount of space available.

12.17   Councillor Horan stated that it appeared that there were not appropriate levels of funding for the scheme because it had been rushed through by the previous administration that demonstrated a level of recklessness.

12.18   Councillor Robins stated that he did not believe the scheme had been diminished; rather the current administration had made a flawed scheme they had inherited into one that was workable through rationalisation.

12.19   RESOLVED-

1)           That the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee approves the Preliminary Green Space Design for Valley Gardens (Phase 1 & 2), as presented in Appendix 1  and authorises officers to progress to the Detailed Green Space Design stage, including initiating the associated planning application process. 

2)           That the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee approve the instigation of the procedure to exchange highway to appropriate green space to support the proposed preliminary design as explained in Section 7.