Decision details

To consider the work undertaken across the Cobtree Estate during the period March – July 2013, and in particular to:-

Endorse the appointment of the winning artist in respect of the installation of the sculptures (phase 2 of the Master Plan);

Approve the design concept and the appointment of the Architects for the visitor centre/café (phase 3 of the Master Plan); and

Authorise the Officers to submit a planning application for the visitor centre/café and to undertake all actions in relation to that application.

1.  That the progress report on the works undertaken across the Cobtree Estate during the period March – July 2013, attached as Appendix A to the report of the Cobtree Officer, be noted.

2.  That the appointment of Mr Jason Mulligan, the winning artist, by competition, in respect of the installation of the sculptures as part of the phase 2 works under the Master Plan, be endorsed.

3.  That the design concept for Cobtree Manor Park visitor centre/café as submitted by Guy Holloway Architects be approved thereby endorsing the choice of Guy Holloway Architects as Architects for the scheme, made through earlier competition.

4.  That the Officers be authorised to submit a planning application for the visitor centre/café and to undertake all actions in relation to that application.

The Committee previously agreed to receive a progress report on the work undertaken across the Cobtree Estate at each meeting.  The report for the period March – July 2013 is attached as Appendix A to the report of the Cobtree Officer.

The Committee previously agreed that the Master Plan works would include a sculpture trail.  Following discussions with the Community Partnerships Manager (who has previously procured artwork for the Council) it was advised that the winning artist should be decided by competition, and the Committee was asked to endorse this approach.  The results from the competition were returned in February 2013.  Details of the concept design submitted by the winning artist are attached as Appendix B to the report of the Cobtree Officer.  The full submission was available to view at the meeting.

The Committee also previously agreed that the Master Plan works would include a visitor centre/café, with the winning Architects to be decided by competition as advised by the Project Manager (who has experience of procuring this type of building).  The design concept submitted by the winning Architects in October 2012 is attached as Appendix C to the report of the Cobtree Officer.  The full submission was available to view at the meeting.

The Committee was asked to approve the design concept for the visitor centre/café and to authorise the Officers to seek planning permission.  The Committee will not be asked to authorise the final designs and implementation until further negotiations relating to the future operation of the Kent Museum of Rural Life and the extension of the contract with MyTime at the Golf Course have taken place.  A final report on the visitor centre/café will then be submitted to the Committee.

There are no alternative actions as the proposals are considered to be in the best interests of the Charity known as the Cobtree Manor Estate and have been endorsed at a previous meeting as part of the Master Plan.