Issue - meetings

Housing Portfolio

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To consider report SHAP/82 of the Head of Strategic Housing Services, which was referred to the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission held on 28 June 2021.

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RESOLVED

That the Cabinet:

a)         approves the proposed procurement strategy towards achieving the objective of a policy-compliant residential development as detailed in section 5 of report SHAP/82.

b)         approves the development proposal for the purposes of delivering an affordable housing scheme, with the Council securing the affordable rent element, as detailed in section 6 of report SHAP/82.

c)         delegates authority to the Head of Strategic Housing Services, the Head of Corporate Finance and the Head of Legal, Governance & HR in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Housing, to enter into the necessary contracts, and complete all relevant legal documentation to achieve the above recommendations. (Generic Delegation 2 and 3 will be used to enact this recommendation).

d)         in considering the Commission’s views, asks that Officers and the developers consider ways, if possible, in which they can preserve the tree and increase the percentage parking on the site.

Reasons for the Recommendations

The Council acquired the Telford Place site in 2015 for the purposes of developing a policy compliant residential scheme. Following two attempts to procure a development partner the market has failed to perform, but the Council is now presented with the opportunity to progress the development of this site as an all affordable housing scheme.

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The Cabinet Member for Housing presented report SHAP/82of the Head of Strategic Housing Services.  The report requested Cabinet to consider a development proposal for the delivery of a policy-compliant mixed tenure affordable housing development, with the Council retaining the affordable rent quota of the scheme as intended in the previous procurement attempts.

Councillor T Belben presented the Overview and Scrutiny Commission’s comments on the report to the Cabinet following consideration of the matter at its meeting on 28 June 2021, and in doing so highlighted that the Commission were putting forward a further recommendation for the Cabinet to consider, namely:

That the Cabinet re-consider the level of parking proposed for this development, for the reasons provided in the Commission’s discussion.

Councillors Crow and Burrett respectively were invited to speak on the item and in doing so acknowledged the Commission’s suggestion.  Councillor Crow also raised the matter of the large tree adjacent to the site and the potential impact the development might have on the tree.

Councillors Lamb, P Smith, C Mullins and Irvine spoke during the discussion on the report and the Commission’s recommendation.  It was confirmed that the level of parking for a development was not decided by Cabinet and that would be addressed through the planning process and ultimately by the Planning Committee when considering the development’s planning permission.  Cabinet members understood the Commission’s concerns and felt it suitable to ask officers and the proposed developers to further investigate, as part of their ongoing work, as to whether the parking on the site could be increased and the tree could be preserved as part of the project.  During the debate on the item, it was conveyed that the Cabinet strongly hoped that the development of the site would come to fruition, after a number of failed attempts.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet:

a)         approves the proposed procurement strategy towards achieving the objective of a policy-compliant residential development as detailed in section 5 of report SHAP/82.

b)         approves the development proposal for the purposes of delivering an affordable housing scheme, with the Council securing the affordable rent element, as detailed in section 6 of report SHAP/82.

c)         delegates authority to the Head of Strategic Housing Services, the Head of Corporate Finance and the Head of Legal, Governance & HR in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Housing, to enter into the necessary contracts, and complete all relevant legal documentation to achieve the above recommendations. (Generic Delegation 2 and 3 will be used to enact this recommendation).

d)         in considering the Commission’s views, asks that officers and the developers consider ways, if possible, in which they can preserve the tree and increase the percentage of parking on the site.

Reasons for the Recommendations

The Council acquired the Telford Place site in 2015 for the purposes of developing a policy compliant residential scheme.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15

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Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

To consider report SHAP/82 of the Head of Strategic Housing Services. 

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Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

The Commission considered report SHAP/82 of the Head of Strategic Housing Services.  The report requests Cabinet to consider a development proposal for the delivery of a policy-compliant mixed tenure affordable housing development, with the Council retaining the affordable rent quota of the scheme as intended in the previous procurement attempts.

During the discussion with the Cabinet Member for Housing and the Housing Enabling and Development Manager, the following comments were made:

·         Recognition that the Council-owned site at Telford Place had significant potential to contribute towards meeting Crawley’s housing needs, including the provision of affordable housing, and remained a site of strategic significance within the context of achieving residential development within the town centre. 

·         Acknowledgement that the development proposal now offered the potential delivery of a policy-compliant mixed tenure affordable housing development. This would result in the Council retaining the affordable rent quota of the scheme as intended in the previous procurement attempts.

·         Clarification sought and obtained on the financial details and options provided within the report. The development proposal needed to be both affordable and maximise the market.

·         Recognition that the development opportunity would be subject to a planning application, which would address development characteristics and any potential impacts.  Following a detailed discussion, it was felt that further investigation was required on some issues.  During the debate Councillor Lanzer, (seconded by Councillor S Mullins) moved a further recommendation. Following an unanimous vote, it was agreed that the Cabinet be requested to consider this addition:

Recommendation:

That the Cabinet re-consider the level of parking proposed for this development, for the reasons provided in the Commission’s discussion.

RESOLVED

That the Commission notes the report and requests that the views expressed during the debate, are fed back to the Cabinet through the Commission’s Comment sheet, with the additional recommendation noted above.