Finance and Budget Committee

10.00am, Thursday, 21 March 2013

Former North British Rubber Company Building, Gilmore Park/Fountainbridge Road: Proposed Disposal
Item number Report number Wards 9. Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart 7.10

Links
Coalition pledges Council outcomes Single Outcome Agreement P17 C07 S01

Mark Turley
Director of Services for Communities

Graeme McGartland, Estates Surveyor graeme.mcgartland@edinburgh.gov.uk Tel: 0131 529 5956

Executive summary
Former North British Rubber Company Building, Gilmore Park/Fountainbridge Road: Proposed Disposal
Summary
Edinburgh Printmakers has outgrown its existing building which is leased from the Council in Union Street and is seeking a new location within Edinburgh to create a sustainable major arts facility. As reported to the 21 February meeting of the Finance and Budget Committee, the proposed Arts Hub which was to be developed at 4-8 Market Street, and would have housed Edinburgh Printmakers, is not considered to be feasible. An alternative site is required. With assistance from EDI, Edinburgh Printmakers (EP) has now identified the former North British Rubber Company (NBRC) factory building, a category C listed vacant building on the corner of Gilmore Park and Dundee Street, as a possible new venue. The building sits within the 11.5 acre site which was acquired by the Council to develop the new Boroughmuir High School and would offer greater benefits than the site in Market Street and several other options. Access for loading and unloading is better, it will be possible to install a purpose-built heavy goods lift; and the building is big enough for EP to implement its vision for a combined cultural visitor attraction and community amenity, while making active use of the neighbouring canal. The building is shown hatched on the attached plan. The remainder of the site will be developed for mixed use and a masterplan for the site is currently being prepared (using the title Fountain Quay as it is bordered on one side by the Union Canal). The Community Consultation phase identified the need for an arts presence as part of the wider development. EP is preparing the next stage of a capital funding application which requires a commitment to a specific building in order to procure the design team to move the project forward, and secure release of the full grant in 2014. EP is seeking to enter into discussions with the Council with a view to agreeing Heads of Terms. Given the current condition of the property and the general market climate, a full marketing campaign is unlikely to secure significant levels of interest. Therefore it is proposed to enter into discussions with EP, on an exclusive basis, in order to agree Heads of Terms for the sale of the NBRC building and submit these terms for approval to the Committees meeting in June.

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The Heads of Terms will be structured so as to protect the wider vision of the Fountain Quay masterplan.

Recommendations
Committee is recommended to: 1. Authorise the Director of Services for Communities to enter into exclusive detailed discussions with Edinburgh Printmakers to agree Heads of Terms for the purchase of the former North British Rubber Company Building; and Note that a further report will be submitted to the Committee in June that will provide the details of the agreed Heads of Terms for approval.

Measures of Success
A listed building will be brought back into use through community involvement. This will provide a focus on the arts and employment opportunities in the area. It will also allow the development of an important component of the wider masterplan for the Fountainbridge site.

Financial impact
A capital receipt will be obtained in 2014. The sale of a listed building will remove a potential long term repairing liability from the Council.

Sustainability impact
The sale will allow an important arts provider within the city to establish a world class centre which will have a positive impact on the right to productive and valued activities. EPs vision for the new venue includes specific action to target hard to reach sections of the community, to encourage participation by all ages and groups.

Environmental impact
A listed building which is currently in a state of disrepair will be brought back into beneficial use and will form a key component of the wider masterplan for Fountainbridge.

Consultation and engagement

As part of the masterplan process to date, consultation exercises and workshops have taken place with local members and community groups. One of the desires for the wider Fountainbridge site is for an active arts facility.
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Background reading / external references

Location plan attached as Appendix 1.

Mark Turley
Director of Services for Communities

Links
Coalition pledges Council outcomes Single Outcome Agreement Appendices P17 - Continue efforts to develop the citys gap sites and encourage regeneration CO7 - Edinburgh draws new investment in development and regeneration SO1 Edinburghs economy delivers increased investment, jobs and opportunities for all. Location plan attached

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