Purpose

Approval for acquisition of affordable housing into council stock.

Content

Matter for Decision

The Newbury Farm site was being developed by the Cambridge
Investment Partnership (CIP) on the south-east fringes of Cambridge. The report
sought approval for a capital budget to purchase 60 affordable homes from CIP
as Council homes.

 

Decision
of Executive Councillor for Housing and Homelessness

      i.        
Approved the purchase of 60 new Council homes at
Newbury Farm, Worts’ Causeway and delegate authority to the Assistant Director
of Development (Place Group) to approve contract terms with CIP in respect of
this transaction.

    ii.        
Delegate Authority to the Assistant Director of
Development (Place Group) to agree rental tenures in line with Council Policy
and planning consents for the Newbury Farm Affordable Housing.

   iii.        
Approve a total budget of £15,285,000 to enable
the development of 60 homes at Newbury Farm, Worts’ Causeway.

 

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

 

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

 

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Assistant Director Development (Place).

 

The Assistant Director Development (Place) said the
following in response to Members’ questions:

      i.        
Advised that the outline planning application
would have secured a financial contribution for education. 

    ii.        
Advised that homes were planned to be built to
‘future home’ standards rather than ‘Passiv haus’ standard. It was hoped that
Homes England funding would be awarded for this development. Water consumption
was expected to be restricted to 99 litres per person per day.

   iii.        
Would check whether the play equipment provided
on site would be accessible play equipment. 

 

The Committee resolved by 7 votes to 0 with 1 abstention to
endorse the recommendations.

 

The
Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

 

Conflicts
of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations
Granted)

No
conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.