Purpose

Approval to lease out Briar Close House, Thomas Colledge House, Rowthorne and The Grange (former hops).

Decision

The Cabinet Member for Environment:

1) Approved to sell each of the four properties by way of individual 999 year leases via the auction process;

2) Authorised the Director of Legal and Democratic Services, upon instructions from the Director of Property, to prepare the legal documentation.

Reasons for the decision

Sales by way of leasehold interests would help to transform the Council’s estate so that it offered better value and was fit for future service delivery which was a key action in the Council Plan 2026-2029.

Sales by way of leasehold interests would allow the Council to place use restrictions which were key to allow consideration as to what they might be used for in future and enable the Council to restrict the use of the sites going forwards and to prevent any development which would directly impact on the surrounding residential area and help support the development that was required in the area.

Sales by auction was the quickest route to market and would encourage competitive bidding in a fair, open and transparent manner. This method also satisfied the ‘best consideration’ requirements of Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972. 

Alternative options considered

Do nothing: Following the Cabinet Decision in November 2024 the occupied HOP buildings were offered for sale as going concerns along with other occupied HOPs in 2025. A sale did not materialise. The buildings were vacant, and the unoccupied buildings would inevitably deteriorate over time and could pose a danger to the public if left unsecured. The cost of securing and retaining the assets long term for future use would be cost prohibitive and does not align with the Council Plan.

Retain/redevelop: the assets would require significant capital investment and would not be financially viable.

Demolition and sale: this would incur a significant cost and time delay and rule out any buyers who might want to remodel or make use of the existing buildings as a care facility.