Wednesday, 12 November 2008
Approximately 150 members of the public attended a meeting of the South Lakeland District Council Cabinet, held today in the Victoria Hall, Grange-over-Sands. The single item of business on the agenda was the appointment of a preferred developer for the land around Berners car park and swimming pool. The vast majority of the public in attendance applauded enthusiastically when the decision was announced that Berners Vision Partnership (BVP) had been selected as the preferred developer.
A public exhibition of alternative outline proposals from 5 short-listed developers took place in September 2008. Over 600 written comments were received subsequently, and BVP was the first choice for 47% of those who expressed a preference. Percentages in favour of the other four developers ranged from 4% to 27%.
At a meeting on 10 November 2008, the Town Council had also voted unanimously to recommend the BVP bid.
There will now be several months of negotiations between the District Council and developer, with a view to securing a comprehensive development agreement for the site.