Temporary Taxi Shelter, Weighbridge, St. Helier.

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A decision made (07/12/2006) regarding Taxi shelter, Weighbridge, St. Helier.

Subject:	Taxi shelter, Weighbridge, St Helier
Decision ref:	MD-PE-2006-0217	Exempt clause(s):		None
Type of report:	Oral and written	Report file ref:		1/11/20
Person giving report (if oral): Assistant Director: Policy and Projects
Written report – author: Assistant Director: Policy and Projects
Written Report Title: Urban Task Force: Taxi shelter, Weighbridge, St Helier
Decision(s): The Minister for Planning and Environment decided to; 1. note the background to the development and changed nature of the proposed taxi shelter facility, as set out in the report and illustrated on drawing number WTA/109B, which is presently the subject of a planning application in order that, dependent upon the award of permission and funding, it can be installed in December 2006; 2. endorse the establishment of a budget of £28,900 from the Urban Renewal vote to progress this work, subject to planning permission.
Reason(s) for decision: The scheme accords with the objectives of the Urban Task Force and, subject to planning permission, would enable the facility to be provided for use this winter which would be of benefit to taxi users at the Weighbridge.
Action required: Subject to favourable determination of planning application, proceed to implementation
Signature: (Minister/ Assistant Minister)			Date of Decision: 7 December 2006

Temporary Taxi Shelter, Weighbridge, St. Helier.

		Item No:
		Date:

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT

Urban Task Force

TAXI SHELTER, WEIGHBRIDGE, ST HELIER

Purpose of the Report

The general purpose of this report is for the Minister for Planning and Environment to consider the proposal to provide a temporary taxi shelter at the Weighbridge Taxi Rank. Having regard to the proposal, the specific purpose of the report is for the Minister to authorise the establishment of a budget for the scheme and the expenditure of monies to enable progress, subject to planning permission being secured.

Background

The Urban Task Force has tasked the St Helier Project Group to deliver a series of urban improvements during 2006, including the provision of a taxi shelter at the Weighbridge.

The principle and basic specification for the taxi shelter was agreed by the Ministers for Planning and Environment and Transport and Technical Services, together with the Connetable of St Helier, at a meeting on 01 August 2006. Whilst approving the principle, Ministers requested that the detailed design of the shelter be the subject of design advice from Hopkins Architects.

The context for the development of the proposal for this shelter has included discussion and uncertainty about the future plans and treatment of the Weighbridge and traffic management in the locality, with potential implications for Mulcaster Street. The original design specification of the shelter was to ensure that it remained consistent and appropriate for the long-term future use and design of public space at the Weighbridge. This would have entailed the procurement of a bespoke design for the shelter with a relatively long (12-14 week) production time which, together with the need for planning permission, shipping and installation, would have delayed the provision of the facility until the second quarter of 2007.

As a result of all of the factors outlined above, the Minister for Transport and Technical Services, in consultation with the Minister for Planning and Environment, has determined that an interim temporary taxi shelter facility should be provided before the end of 2006. To give effect to this decision, a number of options have been considered the outcome of which is the proposal to install a temporary timber structure.

The temporary timber structure satisfies the general design criteria – in terms of size, location and configuration – as previously agreed with key stakeholders apart from the provision of an element of shelter for bus users: this can, however, be addressed by the retention and relocation of the existing bus shelter in the vicinity.

To enable implementation of this structure before the year end, design drawings have been prepared and a planning application submitted to give effect to this proposal. In the event of planning permission being secured and, subject to the approval of the necessary funding, the structure would be installed in early December 2006. Details of the structure are provided at Appendix 1.

Budget

A preliminary cost estimate to enable the establishment of a budget and implementation of this scheme is set out below.

Item	Cost
Planning and building fee	500
Shelter cost and installation	22,000
Site clearance and groundworks	2,000
Lighting	800
Surfacing	800
Contingency	2,000
Design and management fees	800
Total	28,900

There are sufficient resources within the Minister for Planning and Environment’s Urban Renewal Vote to fund this work.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Minister for Planning and Environment;

1. note the background to the development and changed nature of the proposed taxi shelter facility, as set out above and illustrated on drawing number WTA/109B, which is presently the subject of a planning application in order that, dependent upon the award of permission and funding, it can be installed in December 2006;

2. endorse the establishment of a budget of £28,900 from the Urban Renewal vote to progress this work, subject to planning permission.

Reason(s) for Decision

The scheme accords with the objectives of the Urban Task Force and, subject to planning permission, would enable the facility to be provided for use this winter which would be of benefit to taxi users at the Weighbridge.

Action Required

Subject to favourable determination of planning application, proceed to implementation;

Written by:	Kevin Pilley, Assistant Director: Planning and Building Services

Attachments: Appendix 1: Temporary taxi shelter, Weighbridge, St Helier: design and layout (WTA/109B)

1/11/20

08 November 2006