Decision

The Head of Housing Development approves to enter into a Basic Asset Protection Agreement (BAPA) with Network Rail and for the payment of up to £14,230.05 plus VAT to cover all associated costs and activities to take the Kings Road (N17) Car Park development up to the planning stage.

Reasons for the decision

The approval of a Basic Asset Protection Agreement (BAPA) with Network Rail is crucial for advancing the new housing development scheme to the planning stage.

This agreement ensures that all design and construction activities are coordinated with Network Rail to prevent any disruptions to rail operations and to safeguard the integrity of the railway infrastructure. By securing a BAPA, we can mitigate potential risks, comply with regulatory requirements, and demonstrate our commitment to safety and collaboration.

Additionally, this approval will facilitate smoother project execution, minimise delays, and enhance stakeholder confidence, ultimately paving the way for a successful planning application and subsequent development phases.

Alternative options considered

The Council could decide not to enter into a Basic Asset Protection Agreement (BAPA) with Network Rail. This will effectively halt the redevelopment of the Kings Road (N17) Car Park site. This is due to the site’s close proximity to an active railway, which necessitates careful coordination and safety measures to ensure that design and construction activities do not disrupt rail operations or compromise the integrity of the railway infrastructure. Without a BAPA, the project cannot proceed, as it could potentially fail to meet the necessary regulatory and safety requirements, ultimately jeopardising the entire redevelopment initiative.

The Council could seek to enter into an agreement at a later stage, this decision could lead to significant delays, increased costs, and a loss of stakeholder confidence, further complicating future development efforts in the area.

The Council could decide not to proceed with the redevelopment of the Kings Road (N17) Car Park site. This decision would not only halt a key project within the Council’s housing development plan but also hinder its broader objectives of addressing housing shortages and providing affordable homes.