1. Apton Day Centre Options in relation to Community use and other matters James Parker 10 th July 2014 © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

2. Background Apton Day Centre Apton Day Centre Prime location Prime location Building well adapted for current use but not to modern standards Building well adapted for current use but not to modern standards Current building is low density (single story, occupies 335sqm out of site area of 685sq m) Current building is low density (single story, occupies 335sqm out of site area of 685sq m) Lease expires 2019, possibility that Age Concern may vacate Lease expires 2019, possibility that Age Concern may vacate Options: leave as is, redevelop for residential, redevelop as Community Centre/Museums Collection Centre/Council Offices Options: leave as is, redevelop for residential, redevelop as Community Centre/Museums Collection Centre/Council Offices Relevant Other Considerations Relevant Other Considerations Approval already given in principle given by Council to redevelop Cemetery Lodge as Museum Collections Centre Approval already given in principle given by Council to redevelop Cemetery Lodge as Museum Collections Centre Uncertainty over intention of Age Concern Uncertainty over intention of Age Concern Museum funding situation and opportunities Museum funding situation and opportunities Markwell Pavillion – Land not owned by Council and location inaccessible to public parking Markwell Pavillion – Land not owned by Council and location inaccessible to public parking Possibility to sell Lodge if Collections Centre located at Apton Road Possibility 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 Council

3. Options Current plan – simplest while Age Concern remain Current plan – simplest while Age Concern remain Apton and Markwell remain as is Apton and Markwell remain as is Museums collections centre built at Cemetery Museums collections centre built at Cemetery Redevelop Apton option 1 – practical if Age Concern vacate permanently Redevelop Apton option 1 – practical if Age Concern vacate permanently Redevelop Apton as residential, use money to fund capital projects elsewhere Redevelop Apton as residential, use money to fund capital projects elsewhere Markwell remains as is Markwell remains as is Museums Collection centre built at Cemetery Museums Collection centre built at Cemetery Redevelop Apton Option 2 – practical if Age Concern vacate permanently or temporary location found during build Redevelop Apton Option 2 – practical if Age Concern vacate permanently or temporary location found during build Redevelop Apton as collections centre and community centre. 2 Storey build with dual use of ground floor facilities. High density of development required Redevelop Apton as collections centre and community centre. 2 Storey build with 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 or Markwell remains as is, community centre used for Age Concern/additional facility or Markwell relocated to newly built community centre Markwell relocated to newly built community centre Optionally Optionally Sell lodge, reorganise Cemetery entrance, convert chapel to office. Note that Old Cemetery may well come back into active use in 2020s Sell lodge, reorganise Cemetery entrance, convert chapel to office. Note that Old Cemetery may well come back into active use in 2020s 3 storey redevelopment at Apton incorporating lettable or Council offices 3 storey redevelopment at Apton incorporating lettable or Council offices © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

4. Commentary/recommendations What can we do now? What can we do now? Architectural studies of options on both sites – generate/eliminate options. Cost 10- 20K Architectural studies of options on both sites – generate/eliminate options. Cost 10- 20K Given the uncertainties, why do anything now (as opposed to later)? Given the uncertainties, why do anything now (as opposed to later)? Little obvious benefit to Council until we know more about future intentions of Age Concern or our intentions in relation to Age Concern Little obvious benefit to Council until we know more about future intentions of Age Concern or our intentions in relation to Age Concern However museum needs to know strategic direction in order to prepare funding options However museum needs to know strategic direction in order to prepare funding options Does the museum actually benefit from spending the money now Does the museum actually benefit from spending the money now If the studies eliminate Apton OR we can guarantee Apton to them in the future notwithstanding uncertainty regarding Age Concern then yes, else no If the studies eliminate Apton OR we can guarantee Apton to them in the future 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 be necessary when other matters resolved Architects fees will be higher if we have to look at more options than would be necessary when other matters resolved Legislation etc may change invalidating architectural work Legislation etc may change invalidating architectural work Recommendation Recommendation Benefit from early action lies principally with Museum Benefit from early action lies principally with Museum Recommend to: secure Rhodes buy-in and financial support and consider whether we would be prepared to deny Age Concern a lease renewal or accommodate elsewhere before proceeding further Recommend to: secure Rhodes buy-in and financial support and consider whether we would be prepared to deny Age Concern a lease renewal or accommodate elsewhere before proceeding further Consider proposal to Rhodes for (say) 50:50 funding of options study Consider proposal to Rhodes for (say) 50:50 funding of options study © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

5. Background

6. Museum - Background Funding raised so far: £84,000 Funding raised so far: £84,000 From section 106 agreements on ASRs From section 106 agreements on ASRs Further funding Further funding Heritage Lottery Fund Heritage Lottery Fund Space requirement – marginal to fit in single storey Space requirement – marginal to fit in single storey Storage: minimum 454sqm desirable 600sqm Storage: minimum 454sqm desirable 600sqm Offices: minimum 28sqm desirable 56sqm Offices: minimum 28sqm desirable 56sqm Utility: minimum 100sqm desirable 200sqm Utility: minimum 100sqm desirable 200sqm Utility space could probably be shared with community centre Utility space could probably be shared with community centre Reminder:gross site area 685sqm Reminder:gross site area 685sqm © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council