Agenda item

(Housing Portfolio Holder) To consider the minutes from the recent meeting of the Council Housebuilding Cabinet Committee, held on 4 June 2015, and any recommendations therein.

Feasibility Studies

(1)        That, as a result of proposed developments for the Council Housebuilding Programme, the priority for the proposed off-street parking schemes at the following locations be increased:

            (a)        Millfield, High Ongar;

            (b)        Queensway, Chipping Ongar;

            (c)        Graylands, Theydon Bois; and

            (d)        Colvers, Matching Green; and

(2)        That, following the decision to progress to  the detailed planning stage, the priority of the following proposed off-street parking schemes be increased:

            (a)        Green Glade, Theydon Bois; and

            (b)        Parkfields (Site A), Roydon;

Acceleration of the Housebuilding Programme

(3)        That, subject to the costs being met from the Council Housebuilding Capital Budget:

            (a)        delegated authority be granted to the Housing Portfolio Holder to     authorise the purchase of individual vacant properties for sale on the open       market (either existing properties or new builds) if there was a risk identified   by the Director of Communities of one-for-one replacement capital receipts           having to be passed to the Government;

            (b)        delegated authority be granted to the Director of Communities to enter       into Development Agreements with private developers, and agree terms for    the purchase, for affordable rented housing required to be provided by             developers in accordance with Section 106 Agreements, where an             opportunity was presented that was considered suitable and appropriate; and

            (c)        if outline planning permission was granted for development on        Council-owned land held by the General Fund at Pyrles Lane, Loughton and the Cabinet subsequently decided to sell the site on the open market, the sale           be subject to a requirement that the required affordable housing element    (expected to be 40-50% of the total number of properties) be sold to the             Council on practical completion, on agreed terms (to be set out in a separate   Development Agreement) to be approved by the Cabinet when considering            the sale of the site.

The Housing Portfolio Holder presented the minutes from the recent meeting of the Council Housebuilding Cabinet Committee, held on 4 June 2015.

The Cabinet Committee had made recommendations to the Cabinet concerning Feasibility Studies and the Acceleration of the Housebuilding Programme. Other issues considered by the Cabinet Committee included: HCA Investment Partner Qualification; a Financial report on the Housebuilding Programme; Future Sites – Phases 4 and 5; the Risk Register for the Housebuilding Programme; and progress reports on Marden Close, Faversham Hall and Phases I and II of the Housebuilding Programme.

In respect of the proposed development at Colvers in Matching Green, a local Member enquired about the undertaking of a Parking Survey in the village and whether there had been any consultation with the Parish Council? The Housing Portfolio Holder stated that the Cabinet Committee had agreed Colvers in Matching Green was a viable site for the Council Housebuilding Programme, and that the Parish Council would be consulted as part of the normal process when the planning application was made; the Portfolio Holder promised to clarify about the undertaking of a Parking Survey in Matching Green and reply to the Member in due course.

Decision:

Feasibility Studies

(1)        That, as a result of proposed developments for the Council Housebuilding Programme, the priority for the proposed off-street parking schemes at the following locations be increased:

            (a)        Millfield, High Ongar;

            (b)        Queensway, Chipping Ongar;

            (c)        Graylands, Theydon Bois; and

            (d)        Colvers, Matching Green; and

(2)        That, following the decision to progress to  the detailed planning stage, the priority of the following proposed off-street parking schemes be increased:

            (a)        Green Glade, Theydon Bois; and

            (b)        Parkfields (Site A), Roydon;

Acceleration of the Housebuilding Programme

(3)        That, subject to the costs being met from the Council Housebuilding Capital Budget:

            (a)        delegated authority be granted to the Housing Portfolio Holder to     authorise the purchase of individual vacant properties for sale on the open       market (either existing properties or new builds) if there was a risk identified   by the Director of Communities of one-for-one replacement capital receipts           having to be passed to the Government;

            (b)        delegated authority be granted to the Director of Communities to enter       into Development Agreements with private developers, and agree terms for    the purchase, for affordable rented housing required to be provided by             developers in accordance with Section 106 Agreements, where an             opportunity was presented that was considered suitable and appropriate; and

            (c)        if outline planning permission was granted for development on        Council-owned land held by the General Fund at Pyrles Lane, Loughton and the Cabinet subsequently decided to sell the site on the open market, the sale           be subject to a requirement that the required affordable housing element    (expected to be 40-50% of the total number of properties) be sold to the             Council on practical completion, on agreed terms (to be set out in a separate   Development Agreement) to be approved by the Cabinet when considering            the sale of the site.

Reasons for Decision:

The Cabinet was satisfied that the Cabinet Committee had fully addressed all the relevant issues.

Other Options Considered and Rejected:

The Cabinet was satisfied that the Cabinet Committee had considered all the relevant options and that there were no further options to consider.