A new cinema and retail complex on the site of the William Hunter Way car park has been given the go-ahead by councillors, subject to the negotiation of penalty clauses. Council members voted 20 to 15 in favour of the scheme at a meeting of Ordinary Council on Wednesday 11 December.
The council has entered into an 150-year lease with developer Stockland after receiving its final proposal in October. The mixed-use development will include a six-screen Odeon cinema as well as a Marks & Spencer and TK Maxx. In addition to 55,000 sq ft of retail space, the scheme will also deliver eighteen one-bedroom apartments and a multi-storey car park on the site.
It is expected that Stockland will start work on the three-and-a-half acre site in July 2014, with the development due to be completed by September 2015. Alternative parking spaces will be provided elsewhere while the site is under construction.
The decision is subject to the agreement of penalties if the work does not commence or is not completed on time. These negotiations will be concluded before the end of January.
The leader of Brentwood Borough Council, Councillor Louise McKinlay, said: “Our number one priority throughout this process has been getting the best deal for Brentwood, and I am delighted the members have come to this decision.
“As well as the financial return this scheme will deliver, residents will benefit from all the other advantages it will bring to the borough, along with more jobs and extra investment in to the area.
“Brentwood has been dreaming of a cinema for a long time, and thanks to this decision that dream is soon going to become a reality. The William Hunter Way development will revitalise Brentwood town centre, attract more business and boost both the day and night-time economy.
“Most importantly, it will help us make sure that Brentwood continues to be a place people want to visit and enjoy spending their time and money.”
Cllr Keith Parker, Conservative member for Brizes and Doddinghurst, appeared on Mike Jones’ One 2 Three show to talk about the proposals. You can hear his interview again here.
However Cllr Phil Mynott, Liberal Democrat member for Brentwood North, was not happy with the decision. He said:
“A development on the William Hunter Way car park could potentially do what Cllr McKinlay claims, it could also drain all the life out of the High Street and leave commercial Brentwood outside of William Hunter Way a disaster area – which is why it is so crucial to get it right.
“Unfortunately Brentwood’s Conservatives have taken the wrong step at each turn of the path.”
A full response from Cllr Mynott can be read here.
Labour group leader Cllr Mike Le-Surf was also less than impressed with the way the decision was reached. He said:
“Democracy has finally been killed off by the Brentwood Tories who run the council. The administration have broken their promise to allow elected members to make the final decision on the William Hunter Way scheme at full council and have instead delegated powers to the Managing Director, Alison Crowe.
“The decision to proceed with this project defies rationality. After many years of wasted time we had the opportunity to walk away and start again but the Tories are intent on continuing to maintain this embarrassing farce.”