FALKIRK COUNCIL
BRIEFING NOTE


From:         Douglas Duff, Head of Economic Development & Environmental Services

Subject:     Denny Town Centre Regeneration – update

Date         29th April 2016


1.0    Introduction  
1.1    The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the status of the Denny Town Centre Regeneration Project


2.0     Phase 1
2.1     Work is underway on the first phase of the new town centre.  Clark Contracts Ltd is the Phase 1 main contractor and has confirmed that works are proceeding to programme (see photos below)

Internal Library

The works carried out to date include:

    Phase 1
·    Commenced natural stone cladding
·    Scaffold internally and externally ongoing
·    Commenced first floor partitions
·    Commenced first floor ventilation
·    Commenced second stage carpark works

         Phase 1 Marketing
2.2        The Council has appointed marketing agents to promote and invite interest in the vacant units within the Phase 1 development.  The marketing brief is currently being prepared and will be issued during May this year.  Three units are already committed, with agreements in place with Lloyds Pharmacy, Boots and Café Anton.  Unfortunately a commitment was not secured with the TSB Bank and they have decided to close their Denny branch.   The 7 remaining retail units will be marketed to attract commercial interest.

    Phase 1 Public Art Proposals
2.3    In line with the Public Art Presentation made at Denny Primary School on 12 March 2015, the Council is now about to embark on the commissioning of artists for the 5 public art projects which transpired from the programme of creativity and consultation which was undertaken by ICA.   These commissions will be developed and tendered competitively as five separate artist briefs.  The overall management of this process will be undertaken by Falkirk Council with support from a shortleeting and interview panel of community representatives which will be established.  Deadline for submissions is 27 May, with shortleeting and interviews scheduled for June.  The 5 commissions are as follows:

DENNY TOWN CENTRE REGENERATION PROJECT PHASE 1 PUBLIC ART PROPOSALS

1.  Way-Finding (The Picture House)
   
2.   Interventions (Sculptural Treasure Trail)

3.   Railing (Sculptural/Interactive)

4.   Staircase (A Visual Feature)

5.   A Place to Play (The Lazy Corner)

Project Timetable
April – May 2016: advertise for artists
June 2016: shortleeting/interviews
July 2016: appointment/contract commences
July/August 2016: research, design and outline design proposals
September 2016: community engagement
October 2016: finalise design
November 2016 – March 2017: installation

Public Wi-fi
2.4       The Council in collaboration with BT hope to deliver a public wi-fi scheme as part of the phase 1 plans. 

3.0       Phase 2 Development
3.1    As agreed by the Council’s Executive on the 23 February 2016, the Council was to formalise an agreement with County properties who would, in turn, formalise an agreement with B & M for the occupation of the retail unit at the site.  County have recently been advised by B & M that they wish to reconsider their position in relation to the Denny project as part of a national review of their acquisition strategy.  The Council are liaising further with County/B & M to establish if their revised requirements can be accommodated in Denny.
 
4.0       Phase 3 Development  
4.1       Following the community presentation on the conclusions from the Denny Charrette consultation, printed copies of the final report are available at key public buildings in the town. Printed copies are available on request to 01324 590973.  The Denny Charrette Fund, via Foundation Scotland is currently supporting a number of local projects within the town centre.  Foundation Scotland is accepting applications for grants and constituted groups and organisations working to benefit those living in the Denny & District area.  Application and guidance material is available here: - https://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/programmes/denny-and-district/

FALKIRK COUNCIL
BRIEFING NOTE


From:         Douglas Duff, Head of Economic Development & Environmental Services

Subject:     Denny Town Centre Regeneration – update

Date         4th April 2016


1.0    Introduction  
1.1    The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the status of the Denny Town Centre Regeneration Project


2.0     Phase 1
2.1     Work is underway on the first phase of the new town centre.  Clark Contracts Ltd is the Phase 1 main contractor and has confirmed that works are proceeding to programme (see photo below)

    Denny Phase 1 – works to date


The works carried out to date include:

    Phase 1
·    Blockwork ongoing
·    Scaffold internally and externally ongoing
·    Continue laying slates on both elevations
·    Continue electrical containment
·    Continue with ventilation ducting
·    Continue constructing electrical cupboards and WCs
·    Continue with Plumbing
·    Continue with facing brick on external leaf
·    Completed cill supports
·    Commenced outer skin of blockwork
·    Commenced flat roof works

Phase 1 Public Art Proposals
2.2    Work is underway to commission artists for the 5 public art projects outlined in the previous briefing.  These commissions will be developed and tendered competitively as five separate artist briefs.  The overall management of this process will be undertaken by Falkirk Council.  A programme for the commissions will follow.

Public Wi-fi
2.3       The Council in collaboration with BT hope to deliver a public Wi-Fi scheme as part of the phase 1 plans. 

2.4    Foundation Scotland is now accepting applications for grants and constituted groups and organisations working to benefit those living in the Denny & District area.  Application and guidance material is available here - https://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/programmes/denny-and-district/.


3.0       Phase 2 Development
3.1    As agreed through the Council’s Executive on the 23 February 2016, a formal legal agreement is being prepared between Falkirk Council and County properties in the disposal of the Phase 2 site subject to an agreement on development timescale and commitment from B & M.

 
4.0       Phase 3 Development  
4.1       Following the community presentation on the conclusions from the Denny Charrette consultation, printed copies of the final report are available at key public buildings in the town. Printed copies are available on request to 01324 590973.  The Denny Charrette Fund via Foundation Scotland is currently supporting a number of local projects within the town centre.

Morning Andrew

 

I can confirm that the TSB branch in Denny will be closing in early July as a result of the Church Walk regeneration project and we haven’t found a suitable replacement site. Please see below for our statement and if you need anything else, please do let me know.

Many thanks

Claire

 

"As a result of the forthcoming regeneration of Denny town centre we have to close our Denny branch. While this redevelopment is an exciting opportunity for Denny, it does not look likely that we will have a replacement for the current TSB branch.

 

“We realise that this may well be unwelcome news and moving out of Denny is not something that we were planning to do had this redevelopment not forced the issue. Our nearest branch to Denny is Falkirk, and we hope people will find time to pop in once our Denny branch closes.”

 

 

Claire Miller

Senior Manager, Media Relations, TSB

 

T: 020 7003 9363 / 9369 | M: 07900 276400 | E: claire.miller@tsb.co.uk| @TSB_News | LinkedIn (TSB)

Over a third of Brits cannot name a local charity in their area. Find out more here.

 

From: Lauren.Wynne-Williams@bmstores.co.uk
Date: Mon, 29 Feb 2016 16:32:42 +0000
Subject: RE: Denny, Falkirk

Hi Andrew,

Please find a comment from a B&M spokesperson below:

Best,

Lauren

A B&M spokesperson, said:

“We are actively seeking opportunities to increase the number of B&M stores across Scotland, however I am not aware that we are looking at this site at this present moment.

As a growing business with more than 480 stores nationwide we are always looking to expand further; providing great value products and world class service to even more customers every week as well as playing an integral part in the local community.”

From: craig.russell@falkirk.gov.uk
Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2016 15:05:13 +0000
Subject: RE: Denny Roundabout

Mr Wallace,

I refer to your email dated 22 February 2016 and would respond as follows.

The roadworks are being carried out by Allma Construction on behalf of Avant Homes. Earlier this week, Avant Homes confirmed the following programme.

·         24 Feb to 26 Feb – Scottish Power expected onsite to divert overheads

·         29 Feb or 1 March – Scottish Water expected onsite to inspect the diverted main

·         2 March – Existing 3 way TTLs come down

·         10 March – TTLs back up to allow connection to main

·         ? March – TTLs removed, utilities broadly completed (with exception of gas?) Allma onsite to complete roadworks using minimal TM where required

·         End March – roadworks broadly completed, signing and lining possibly outstanding

Please contact Avant Homes on 01786 477777 to obtain marketing photographs of the site.

I trust this response addresses your enquiry.

Regards,

Craig Russell

Senior Roads Development Officer

Falkirk Council Development Services

Abbotsford House

Davids Loan

Falkirk FK2 7YZ

01324 50 4732

FALKIRK COUNCIL

BRIEFING NOTE

January 2016

1.0    Introduction  
The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the status of the Denny Town Centre Regeneration Project

2.0     Phase 1
2.1     Work is underway on the first phase of the new town centre.  Clark Contracts Ltd are the Phase 1 main contractor and has confirmed that works are proceeding to programme (see photo below)

Denny Phase 1 – works to date

The works carried out to date include:

Phase 1

All sub-structure foundation completed
Retaining wall completed
Steelwork to building completed
Concrete floor slabs and concrete stairs being laid
Electric power now connected to main
Blockwork both external and internal ongoing
Sub structure drainage ongoing
Ground Floor cast
Scaffold ongoing
Roofwork ongoing
Car park commenced taken to formation level
Car park attenuation/drainage commenced
Commenced Kerbing to carpark

2.2    Phase 1 Public Art Proposals

2.2.1    Following on from extensive research and community consultation, 5 public art installations are proposed for various sites within the first phase of the regeneration project.  Work is now underway to commission artists for the 5 projects outlined through the Public Art Presentation made earlier in 2015 and summarised below.  Further details including Artists’ Brief and project timetable to follow.

1.  Way-Finding (The Picture House)

2.   Interventions (Sculptural Treasure Trail)

3.   Railing (Sculptural/Interactive)

4.   Staircase (A Visual Feature)

5.   A Place to Play (The Lazy Corner)

3.0       Phase 2 Development

3.1        The Phase 2 site was remarketed by SGM, commercial agents.  A report was submitted to the Council’s Executive on the 9 June on the results of the marketing exercise.  One offer was received, from County Properties (Northern) Limited, a privately owned investment and development company with a large, mixed portfolio throughout the UK. 

3.2    The Executive agreed that the Council should approach County Properties requesting that they review their submission for the scheme to better fit the requirements of the brief.  Discussions with County Properties are continuing, seeking these revisions and, while a report was initially targeted for the January Executive, it will now be presented to the Executive in February.

4.0       Phase 3 Development 

4.1       Following the community presentation on the conclusions from the Denny Charrette consultation, printed copies of the final report are available at key public buildings in the town. Printed copies are available on request to 01324 590973.

The Denny Charrette Fund via Foundation Scotland is currently supporting a number of local projects within the town centre.  The local community should see evidence of these projects early in 2016. Grant holders wishing any support to take forward their projects should contact Jacquie McArthur on Jacquie.mcarthur@falkirk.gov.uk or on 01324 590973.

FALKIRK COUNCIL

BRIEFING NOTE

Subject:          Denny Town Centre Regeneration – update

Date                7 September 2015

1.0       Introduction  

1.1         The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the status of the Denny Town Centre Regeneration Project

2.0       Phase 1

2.1       Work is underway on the first phase of the new town centre.  Clark Contracts Ltd are the Phase 1 main contractor and has confirmed that works are proceeding to programme (see photo below)

Denny Phase 1 – works to date (photo taken 22 Sept 2015)

The works carried out to date include:

            Phase 1 Building

·      Drainage diversion works complete

·      Building footprint excavations to formation level complete

·      Foundations being prepared including steel reinforcement and concrete blinding layer

·         Concrete foundation pads and strip foundation setting out complete

·         Foundations and retaining wall erection completed

·         Steel Frame upper floor slab erection commenced and will continue through October 2015

Davies Row Car Park

·      Existing tarmac surfacing removed from site

·      Existing retaining walls reduced to grounds

·      Excavations to reduced levels ongoing

·      Davies Row car park drainage ongoing

3.0       Phase 2 Development

3.1       The Phase 2 site was remarketed by SGM, commercial agents.  A report was submitted to the Council’s Executive on the 9 June on the results of the marketing exercise.  One offer was received, from County Properties (Northern) Limited, a privately owned investment and development company with a large, mixed portfolio throughout the UK. 

3.2       The Executive agreed that the Council should approach County Properties requesting that they review their submission for the scheme to better fit the requirements of the brief.  Discussions with County Properties are continuing, seeking these revisions and will be presented back to the Executive once finalised by the developer.

4.0       Phase 3 Development  

4.1     A report on the conclusions from the recent ‘Charrette’ consultation was presented by  Icecream Architecture to the community on the 21 August in the Denny Community Education Centre.  A Denny Charrette Fund of £10,000 has been set up and to date 7 applications have been received conveying project ideas.  These ideas are currently with Icecream Architecture who will assess the submissions and make recommendations to the community panel for funding approval.  Further details on this process are available from Jacquie McArthur at the Denny Project Office.