Purpose

The council has an opportunity to invest in one of the most
deprived parts of the city and truly change people’s lives through a
coordinated place-making approach delivering new homes, new community
facilities, and giving a new lease of life to a much-loved shopping centre. Up
to 410 new homes are proposed including at least 206 council homes replacing
sub-standard existing council homes – with the new homes built to meet modern
space standards, and to be more energy efficient and cheaper for tenants to run.

Content

Cabinet RESOLVED (unanimous) to note:

 

1.   
The Council’s corporate vision for North
Cambridge – the Framework for Change – and the Consultation Report

2.   
The analysis of the area, its opportunities and challenges,
the council’s strategic objectives, the Design Code, which is now a
Supplementary Planning Document, and the outcome of the local consultation
exercise carried out in May/June 2024

3.   
The wide range of issues identified that will
require co-operation across a range of Council teams and external agencies.

4.   
The steps proposed in the report to co-ordinate
response to these issues. Different funding streams will have a role in meeting
these objectives and financial constraints will affect the pace of progress.
Localised development proposals will also contribute.

5.   
The recommendations support increased council
housing in the city and the council’s bid for a Strategic Partnership with
Homes England

6.   
That a public consultation process will take
place in autumn 2025 on the North Cambridge Framework for Change Report and in
parallel the proposals for Arbury Court and Kingsway, parts of Brackley Close,
Rutland Close and Verulam Way

 

Cabinet RESOLVED (unanimous) to approve:

 

1.   
That the Arbury Court and Kingsway, parts of
Brackley Close, Rutland Close and Verulam Way scheme be included in the Housing
Capital Programme, with an indicative capital budget of £81,200,000 subject to
Homes England Funding to cover all site assembly, construction costs,
professional fees and further associated fees, to deliver a mixed tenure
housing scheme which meets the identified need in Cambridge. Budget will be
drawn down from the sum already approved for investment in new homes and not
yet allocated.

2.   
Authorising the Assistant Director, Development
in consultation with and approval of the Cabinet Member for housing to approve
variations to the scheme including the number of units and mix of property
types, sizes and tenure.

3.   
Delegating authority be given to the Cabinet
Member for Housing in conjunction with the Assistant Director, Development to
enable the sites at Arbury Court, Kingsway, parts of Brackley Close, Rutland
Close and Verulam Way to be developed through Cambridge Investment Partnership
(CIP) or through an alternative procurement route subject to a value for money
assessment to be carried out on behalf of the Council.

4.   
Authorising, subject to 3, the Assistant
Director in consultation with the Cabinet member for Housing to approve the
transfer of the land for Arbury Court, Kingsway, parts of Brackley Close,
Rutland Close and Verulam Way shown edged red on the attached plan in Appendix
3 and 5 to a third party for redevelopment. The transfer will be at a value
provided by a further independent valuation.

5.   
Authorising, subject to 3, the Assistant
Director of Development in consultation with the Cabinet member for Housing to
approve an Affordable Housing Agreement with a third party for the purchase of
206 affordable homes. This agreement will be at a value provided by an
independent valuer.

6.   
With effect from the submission of a planning
application for Arbury Court, approve (a) the purchase of the leasehold and
freehold properties and (b) the issue of Home Loss and Disturbance payments to
qualifying Council occupiers and Home Loss, Basic Loss and Disturbance payments
to qualifying owners at the addresses at Arbury Court, Kingsway, Brackley
Close, Verulam Way and Rutland Close detailed in this report.

7.   
Delegating authority to the Assistant Director
of Development to make a Compulsory Purchase Order in respect of any leasehold
interests at Kingsway, Brackley Close and Arbury Court and any of the 5
freehold households on Rutland Close and Verulam Way identified for possible
redevelopment that cannot be acquired by private treaty within a reasonable
timescale and at a reasonable cost subject to the Director of Place being
satisfied that there is a compelling case in the public interest for the use of
compulsory purchase powers, and that all legal and policy requirements for the
making and confirmation of a CPO have been met

8.   
Delegating authority to the Assistant Director,
Development to serve initial Demolition Notices under the Housing Act 1985.

9.   
Delegating Authority to the Assistant Director
of Housing and Homelessness to approve a local lettings plan for the proposed
developments.

10.                 
That a budget of £10,000 be allocated out of the
approved new build housing budget and the use of the land at the Woodhouse Way
as a site for delivery of modular (pod) housing to serve former rough sleepers.
XI. Delegate authority to the Chief Property Surveyor in consultation with the
s151 Officer to approve the terms of lease of the land at Woodhouse Way to a
third[1]party
charitable organisation