Purpose

This report seeks approval for
the Council to enter into a time-limited Planning Agreement with
Homes England. The outcome of this activity will secure the outline
planning consent, enable early housing and support the future
delivery of Otterpool Park.

Decision

DECISION:
 
1.         
To receive and note report C/25/49.
2.         
To note the draft
Heads of Terms and governance arrangements which will frame the
detailed drafting and negotiation of the Planning
Agreement.
3.         
To note that the
Overview and Scrutiny Committee Task & Finish Group have been
consulted and are supportive of entering into an Agreement, noting
the draft Heads of Terms and governance
arrangements.
4.         
To agree that the
Councilprogresses the
detailed drafting and negotiation of,
and then subsequently enter into, the
Planning Agreement with Homes England based on the draft Heads of
Terms detailed in this report.
5.         
To agree to
delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the
Leader, to progress the detailed drafting and negotiation of, then
subsequently agree the final terms of the Planning
Agreement.
6.         
To note that the
outcome from the work undertaken through the Planning Collaboration
Agreement will be reported to Cabinet as part of future reports on
progress to secure additional investment and a strategic joint
venture partner to deliver the New Garden
Town.
7.         
To note that the
activities of the OP LLP will continue to be contained within an
annual Transition Plan with a supporting budget reported to
Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet until such time that
the council makes a further decision on the
matter.
 
 

 

Reasons for decision:
 
This report follows an earlier
decision in December 2024 (Report C/24/61) agreeing that the
Council enter into a Collaboration Agreement with Homes England
aimed at securing the delivery of Otterpool Park. 
Entering into a further agreement, which is focused on securing
outline planning consent and enabling early housing delivery, is a
key step in continuing the Council’s collaborative working
with Homes England.