Purpose

In recent years the Council and St Leger Homes of Doncaster (SLHD) have been jointly involved
with the delivery of a property acquisition programme. St Leger Homes currently administer the
programme on behalf of the Council in which property purchases and conveyance is undertaken
by the Council, the properties are brought into housing stock and are Council owned. St Leger
Homes then facilitate necessary repairs to appropriate standards and, subsequently, let and
manage the property.

The purchase has been considered in line with the need to address the high demand for affordable
rental properties, including 3-bedroom properties in many areas across Doncaster where there is
an under supply of properties.
The property has been identified as being an appropriate acquisition as part of the extension to
the Local Authority Housing Fund: Round 3 (LAHF R3), the objective of which is to purchase six
properties as both temporary accommodation and to provide housing for those on the Afghan
Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) who supported UK efforts in Afghanistan. It is felt that
this property meets both the immediate and long-term requirements of the Council in terms of
providing suitable housing for families requiring affordable homes.
The four-year capital budget (2025/26-2028/29) was approved by Council on 27th February
2026, included provision for acquisitions and buy backs of former Council homes, to ensure as
far as possible that all housing needs are met.

Decision

To support the proposal for the purchase of 48 Dove Lane, Woodlands, DN6 7FR.

The purchase price is £237,000 and provisional inspections have concluded that no further
investment is required due to the current standard of the property. The property is required to be
maintained with ongoing gas and electrical testing carried out to meet regulations.

Alternative options considered

Option 1 – Approve the property purchase – (recommended option)
This option will support the acquisition programme by utilising available funds to maximise the
opportunity to provide additional housing provision across the borough. The consideration into this
purchase is in conjunction with the Afghanistan resettlement scheme.

Option 2 - Do Nothing
This option would lose the opportunity to deploy approved funding to help ease the demand for
properties on the housing waiting list.