Apton Day Centre Apton Day Centre Options in relation to Community Options in relation to Community

use and other mattersuse and other matters

James Parker 10James Parker 10thth July 2014 July 2014

© Bishop’s Stortford Town © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Council

BackgroundBackground

Apton Day CentreApton Day Centre Prime locationPrime location Building well adapted for current use but not to modern standardsBuilding well adapted for current use but not to modern standards Current building is low density (single story, occupies 335sqm out Current building is low density (single story, occupies 335sqm out

of site area of 685sq m)of site area of 685sq m) Lease expires 2019, possibility that Age Concern may vacateLease expires 2019, possibility that Age Concern may vacate Options: leave as is, redevelop for residential, redevelop as Options: leave as is, redevelop for residential, redevelop as

Community Centre/Museums Collection Centre/Council Offices Community Centre/Museums Collection Centre/Council Offices Relevant Other ConsiderationsRelevant Other Considerations

Approval already given in principle given by Council to redevelop Approval already given in principle given by Council to redevelop Cemetery Lodge as Museum Collections CentreCemetery Lodge as Museum Collections Centre

Uncertainty over intention of Age ConcernUncertainty over intention of Age Concern Museum funding situation and opportunitiesMuseum funding situation and opportunities Markwell Pavillion – Land not owned by Council and location Markwell Pavillion – Land not owned by Council and location

inaccessible to public parkinginaccessible to public parking Possibility to sell Lodge if Collections Centre located at Apton RoadPossibility to sell Lodge if Collections Centre located at Apton Road

Its complex!Its complex! ..and there are many unknowns..and there are many unknowns

© Bishop’s Stortford Town © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Council

OptionsOptions

Current plan – simplest while Age Concern remainCurrent plan – simplest while Age Concern remain Apton and Markwell remain as isApton and Markwell remain as is Museums collections centre built at CemeteryMuseums collections centre built at Cemetery

Redevelop Apton option 1 – practical if Age Concern vacate Redevelop Apton option 1 – practical if Age Concern vacate permanentlypermanently

Redevelop Apton as residential, use money to fund capital projects Redevelop Apton as residential, use money to fund capital projects elsewhereelsewhere

Markwell remains as isMarkwell remains as is Museums Collection centre built at CemeteryMuseums Collection centre built at Cemetery

Redevelop Apton Option 2 – practical if Age Concern vacate Redevelop Apton Option 2 – practical if Age Concern vacate permanently or temporary location found during buildpermanently or temporary location found during build

Redevelop Apton as collections centre and community centre. 2 Storey build Redevelop Apton as collections centre and community centre. 2 Storey build with dual use of ground floor facilities. High density of development requiredwith dual use of ground floor facilities. High density of development required

Either Either Markwell remains as is, community centre used for Age Concern/additional facility orMarkwell remains as is, community centre used for Age Concern/additional facility or Markwell relocated to newly built community centreMarkwell relocated to newly built community centre

OptionallyOptionally Sell lodge, reorganise Cemetery entrance, convert chapel to office. Note that Old Sell lodge, reorganise Cemetery entrance, convert chapel to office. Note that Old

Cemetery may well come back into active use in 2020sCemetery may well come back into active use in 2020s 3 storey redevelopment at Apton incorporating lettable or Council offices3 storey redevelopment at Apton incorporating lettable or Council offices© Bishop’s Stortford Town © Bishop’s Stortford Town

Council Council

Commentary/recommendationsCommentary/recommendations

What can we do now?What can we do now? Architectural studies of options on both sites – generate/eliminate options. Architectural studies of options on both sites – generate/eliminate options.

Cost 10-20KCost 10-20K Given the uncertainties, why do anything now (as opposed to Given the uncertainties, why do anything now (as opposed to

later)?later)? Little obvious benefit to Council until we know more about future intentions Little obvious benefit to Council until we know more about future intentions

of Age Concern or our intentions in relation to Age Concernof Age Concern or our intentions in relation to Age Concern However museum needs to know strategic direction in order to prepare However museum needs to know strategic direction in order to prepare

funding optionsfunding options Does the museum actually benefit from spending the money nowDoes the museum actually benefit from spending the money now

If the studies eliminate Apton OR we can guarantee Apton to them in the If the studies eliminate Apton OR we can guarantee Apton to them in the future notwithstanding uncertainty regarding Age Concern then yes, else nofuture notwithstanding uncertainty regarding Age Concern then yes, else no

What do we lose by acting now instead of delaying?What do we lose by acting now instead of delaying? Architects fees will be higher if we have to look at more options than would Architects fees will be higher if we have to look at more options than would

be necessary when other matters resolvedbe necessary when other matters resolved Legislation etc may change invalidating architectural workLegislation etc may change invalidating architectural work

RecommendationRecommendation Benefit from Benefit from early early actionaction lies principally with Museum lies principally with Museum Recommend to: secure Rhodes buy-in and financial support Recommend to: secure Rhodes buy-in and financial support andand consider consider

whether we would be prepared to deny Age Concern a lease renewal or whether we would be prepared to deny Age Concern a lease renewal or accommodate elsewhere before proceeding furtheraccommodate elsewhere before proceeding further

Consider proposal to Rhodes for (say) 50:50 funding of options studyConsider proposal to Rhodes for (say) 50:50 funding of options study© Bishop’s Stortford Town © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Council

BackgroundBackground

© Bishop’s Stortford Town © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Council

Museum - BackgroundMuseum - Background

Funding raised so far: £84,000 Funding raised so far: £84,000 From section 106 agreements on ASRsFrom section 106 agreements on ASRs

Further fundingFurther funding Heritage Lottery FundHeritage Lottery Fund

Space requirement – marginal to fit in single Space requirement – marginal to fit in single storey storey Storage: Storage: minimum 454sqm minimum 454sqm desirable 600sqmdesirable 600sqm Offices: Offices: minimum 28sqm minimum 28sqm desirable 56sqmdesirable 56sqm Utility: Utility: minimum 100sqm minimum 100sqm desirable 200sqmdesirable 200sqm

Utility space could probably be shared with community Utility space could probably be shared with community centrecentre

Reminder:Reminder: gross site area 685sqmgross site area 685sqm© Bishop’s Stortford Town © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Council