Purpose

To sell excess SANG capacity to serve up to,
and no more than, 200 dwellings in neighbouring authorities, with
such capacity to be sold at a higher rate than the fees set out in
the Thames Basin Heaths SPA SPD.

Decision

That the Cabinet Member for
Planning, Transport and Countryside authorise the Executive
Director: Place be delegated to sell excess SANG
capacity  to serve  up to, and no more than, 200 dwellings  in neighbouring authorities, with such capacity to
be sold at a higher rate than the fees set out in the Thames Basin
Heaths SPA SPD.

Reasons for the decision

i.      
Securing increased SANG contributions from developments outside the
Borough will maximise the potential amount of money the Council can
secure from its SANG assets. The limitation of sale of capacity to
that required by 200 dwellings will ensure that this action does
not prejudice the Council’s own SPA mitigation strategy. The
Council has followed this process once before in 2022 for a single
development in Frimley (Surrey Heath District, planning reference
16/0803) which yielded an increase in SANG income of  £301,943  for a 90 residential unit
scheme.  The decision to authorise this
agreement was made via an Executive Member Decision.
 

ii.    
The Council has enough SANG capacity to serve our housing needs (as
set out in the Bracknell Forest Local Plan 2024)  even after selling a
further 200 dwellings worth as per this intended scheme.
Furthermore the Executive in a decision dated 21/03/2023
https://democratic.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/documents/d3497/Printed%20decision%20SANG%20capacity%20agreements%20between%20Bracknell%20Forest%20Council%20and%20Surrey%20Heath%20Borough.pdf?T=5
authorised the selling of 500 dwellings worth of SANG capacity to
Surrey Heath Council. Since that decision, Surrey Heath Council
have procured their own in-house SANG so have declined the need for
this further capacity. This means 500 dwellings worth was returned
to the Council’s overall capacity meaning the Council can
confidently offer up the 200 dwellings worth as per the
recommendation in this report.
 

iii.   
A number of prospective developers
reviewing a site in Camberley (within Surrey Heath) have approached
officers to seek SANG capacity for another scheme. In principle
terms have been agreed with the developer to seek SANG capacity for
30 X 1 and 2 bedroom dwellings but to
pay  the
Council’s current highest rate of £8,989 per dwelling
subject to the relevant authorisation.
 

iv.   
Rather than seek authorisation for individual schemes it is
preferred that a more general authorisation  be secured
for a capped amount of dwellings. It is
considered that the Council can commit to 200 dwellings worth of
dwellings subject to agreement in line with the proposed
recommendation. So for example, the
30 unit scheme above will be part of
that authorisation.
 

v.    
Providing SANG capacity and generating income from its sale
positively contributes towards a number of Council objectives,
including:
 
·      
Demonstrating that the Council is proactive in its statutory Duty
to Cooperate with other neighbouring authorities by enabling wider
delivery of housing need.
·      
Providing significant income to support the Council’s SANG
programme and strategy.
·      
Providing increased income which will translate into high quality
maintained open space (SANG).
·      
Providing increased income to support relevant Council services as
part of the Council’s Transformation programme.
 

Alternative options considered

To not provide any SANG capacity for such
developments which means the Council would forgo an opportunity to
maximise increased income from use of the Council’s SANG
assets.