Decision

The Cabinet members for economic development and finance have decided to approve the installation of an electrical power supply at the Didcot Gateway site.

Analysis

outcome: Recommendations Approved

summary: The decision is to enter into a contract for the installation of an electrical power supply to the council-owned Didcot Gateway site in preparation for future development.

topline: The Cabinet members for economic development and finance have decided to approve the installation of an electrical power supply at the Didcot Gateway site.

reason_contentious: This issue may be contentious as it involves significant capital costs and potential future development plans for the site.

affected_stakeholders: ["Council", "Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN)"]

contentiousness_score: 6

political_party_relevance: No mention of political parties or political influence on the decision.

URL: https://democratic.southoxon.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1032

Decision Maker: Cabinet member for economic development and regeneration, Cabinet member for finance and property assets

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: To approve the installation of an electrical power supply to the site as enabling works ahead of progressing the main development. N.B. Installing the power supply ahead of the main works is a commercial resilience activity and does not prejudge the outcome of the planning process, nor the separate decisions required to proceed with the main scheme.

Content: To enter into a contract for the installation of an electrical power supply to the council-owned Didcot Gateway site on Station Road in Didcot, as enabling works ahead of progressing future development of the site, by accepting a quote from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) to install a 500KVA electrical power supply.    Separate decisions will be required for the legal agreements (wayleaves etc) necessary to permit the installation of the supply by SSEN on and across the council’s site.   In addition to the above works it is proposed that the council constructs a brick sub-station enclosure to house the sub-station to be installed by SSEN on the council’s site. This will be done under separate minor works contract arrangements and be subject to separate decisions.   The anticipated capital costs are: Power supply installation (SSEN): £121,784.58 plus VAT Construction of brick built sub-station enclosure: £75,000 plus VAT.   N.B. Proceeding with the installation of the power supply ahead of the main works does not prejudge the outcome of the planning application process for the proposed council office scheme, nor the separate democratic decisions required to proceed with development of the site.

Date of Decision: June 9, 2025