Issue - meetings

Appendix 2 to the report is in the private section of the agenda at Item 15.

Further to Minute 74 (15 November 2016), the Cabinet Member for Economic and Social Development presented proposals to progress the Council’s ambitions for television and film studios at the former Sanofi site, Rainham Road North, Dagenham, as part of a mixed-use development.

The Cabinet Member advised that a feasibility study, jointly funded with the Mayor of London, had concluded that “Dagenham East represents a rare chance to build a world-class film studio within the boundaries of Greater London”.  Discussions had taken place with the other landowners at the site regarding the best way to deliver the studio proposal and the wider regeneration aims, which would include housing, retail and London’s largest data centre and create a significant number of new job opportunities for local people.  The Cabinet Member also referred to the perceived advantages to the Council of becoming the majority landowner at the site, in line with the Council’s Investment and Acquisition Strategy objectives, and the borrowing costs associated with the acquisitions. 

Cabinet Members spoke in support of the proposals and particular regard was made to the new and exciting job opportunities that would be created on the site and the important links to other recent initiatives in the Borough, such as the creation of the Coventry University London campus.  The Cabinet Member for Economic and Social Development confirmed that the Council’s expectations for high-quality architectural developments had been impressed on potential development partners and it was also acknowledged that a comprehensive Sustainable Neighbourhood Strategy for the area should be commissioned in order to maximise the benefits for the local community.

The Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Authorise the Chief Operating Officer, in consultation with the Director of Law and Governance and the Cabinet Members for Finance, Growth and Investment and Economic and Social Development, to enter into all necessary agreements to complete the freehold purchase of the Baytree land, as identified in Appendix 1 to the report, on the terms set out in paragraphs 2.1 to 2.3 and Appendix 2 of the report;

(ii)  Authorise the Chief Operating Officer, in consultation with the Director of Law and Governance and the Cabinet Member for Finance, Growth and Investment, to enter into all necessary agreements to complete the freehold purchase of the Londoneast-uk surplus land site and the lease of The Cube site, as identified in Appendix 1 to the report, on the terms set out in paragraphs 2.4 to 2.5 and Appendix 2 of the report;

(iii)  Note that a further report shall be presented to Cabinet on the possible purchase of The Cube site at the expiry of the lease arrangement in December 2022; and

(iv)  Agree the Council’s objectives for the film studio site as set out in paragraphs 2.6 to 2.8 of the report and that Be First commence a process to select the partner(s) who best delivers the objectives.