Purpose

To approve the initial site development plan
for surplus land at the Depot site.

Decision

RESOLVED that
 
i.      
the
outline Initial Site Development Plan for surplus land at
the

Depot site be approved.
 
ii.    
should
recommendation 2.1 be approved, detailed proposals will
be

developed including design, submission of a planning
application and the commercial arrangements including development
funding finalised in a further Settled Site Development Plan that
the Council will need to approve in around 12 months’
time.
 
iii.   
the
JV will engage with registered social landlords to investigate
the

viability of increasing the level of affordable
housing in the development above the minimum policy compliant level
(currently 25%) up to potentially 100%, prior to submission of
Settled Site Development Plan.

 
iv.   
the
Borough Solicitor be authorised to appropriate the land at edged
red on the plan attached as Annex 1 for planning purposes under
Section 122(1) of the Local Government Act 1972, when a planning
consent is in place.

Reasons for the decision

i.      
The proposed ISDP is an outline proposal for development of the
Council-owned Depot site. This will become surplus to the
functioning of the Depot site itself once the redevelopment of the
site is completed. If approved, this outline proposal will be
refined during the coming months and will be subject to several
conditions being fulfilled, including securing planning permission
and fulfilling best consideration requirements for the land
value.
 

ii.    
The proposal uses a parcel of land which would otherwise be left
vacant or sold to a third-party developer. Its proposed development
via the JV allows the Council retain a high level of control over
what is to be built on the site.
 

iii.   
The development would provide c40 new houses and flats close to the
town centre, with a proposed 25% policy compliant scheme as a
minimum. The opportunity to deliver an increased number of
affordable units on site will be explored in the coming months,
before a final proposal is brought before the Council for
consideration in a Settled Site Development Plan, in around 12
months.
 

iv.   
The proposed development links to the Bracknell Forest Housing
Strategy 2023 to 2028. This strategy sets out four priorities:
 
1. Prevent
homelessness & increase housing options and support for
households in need.
 
2. Deliver new homes
in sustainable communities that meet the needs of residents.
 
3. Make the best use
of existing homes and improve housing quality.
 
4. Provide a range of
housing options for people with care and support needs.
 
This development will align with this strategy
by:
 
·      
Providing housing with varying unit sizes, including larger units
suitable for
family occupancy.
·      
Exceeding the strategy requirements by providing 10% of housing
as
wheelchair adapted
(strategy 5%).

·      
Capping the rent for affordable homes at Local Housing Allowance
rates

·      
Delivering a high-quality development, indistinguishable from
private for sale
homes in the
neighbourhood.
 

v.    
The scheme development will be closely monitored through the
detailed design, planning and construction stages and will include
opportunities such as apprenticeships and work experience.
Following completion this development will enhance town centre
living in the centre of Bracknell, helping support an 18-hour
economy by creating a lively mixed-use destination with residential
and potential commercial uses close to the town centre.
 

vi.   
In order to ensure that the redevelopment can come forward, its
benefits be realised and that the Council can meet its obligations
under the JV legal agreement, it is proposed that the Council
appropriates its land at the Depot site for planning purposes under
S122 Local Government Act 1972 and utilises the statutory powers
under s.203 Housing & Planning Act 2016 to facilitate the works
without risk of injunction once planning permission has been
obtained. This report seeks that this is delegated to Borough
Solicitor who will ensure that all legal tests are complied with
before Appropriation is undertaken.

Alternative options considered

The
Executive could decide not to endorse the recommendations made in
this report.
This would mean that the Council may need to consider an
alternative approach to
development for the Surplus land at the Depot, including
disposing of the surplus
land to a third party. In that situation, the Council would
achieve a guaranteed capital
receipt (the level of which would depend on market interest) but
would lose control
over the nature and scale of development on the site. A
commercial as opposed to
residential development has been investigated, but was found not
to be viable, as
has previously been reported to
the Executive.