Surrey County Council has sold The Cottage, (Old Swains Farm) Small Hills Road, Leigh, Reigate, RH2 8RQ. The sale was approved by Councillor Natalie Bramhall, subject to a simultaneous agreement with Halsey Garton Residential Ltd (HGR) to surrender their headlease on the property.

The Cottage, (Old Swains Farm), Small Hills Road, Leigh, Reigate RH2 8RQ

Councillor Bramhall approved the sale of The Cottage for an undisclosed sum, and agreed to pay HGR an undisclosed premium to surrender its headlease. The report noted eight bids were received after the property was marketed by Curchods estate agents with a guide price of £400,000.

A report prepared ahead of the meeting described the property as a three bedroomed cottage that was transferred to HGR by the Council under a 40-year lease in February 2021. At the time of transfer, the property was tenanted and in a state of disrepair. The report explained that HGR, which is owned by Surrey County Council, now wishes to divest itself of some of its properties as part of a change in strategy. It is understood HGR's business plan involves purchasing and refurbishing properties to create homes for social rent and had originally intended to carry out extensive refurbishment at The Cottage.

Given the property’s (i) rural location (ii) overall condition as well as (iii) further investment needed, it is not deemed appropriate to be retained by the Council.

- CMD_Disposal of The Cottage Swains Farm. Part 1

The report to Councillor Bramhall stated that the Section 151 officer, Michael Coughlin, supported the sale, noting that The capital receipt from this proposed disposal will contribute to the capital receipts funding assumed in the capital programme and revenue assumptions in the current Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS).

The report was prepared by Graham Glenn, Head of Acquisitions and Disposals at Surrey County Council, who noted that a full equality impact assessment was not required because this proposed disposal does not impact adversely on any specific parties. Mr Glenn also noted that the sale will incur legal and agency fees of approximately 2% of the sale value.