Purpose

• Since the decision of 22.05.22 referred
to above further legal advice has been provided to the Southside
Project members that separate leases to the group members with an
agreement to share the proposed community building is a more
efficient means of delivering the project than setting up a
completely new CIC
• The land at Ashley Farm and Newton Farm is owned by the
Council and comprises a block of agricultural land and a sports
ground already leased to Belmont Wanderers Football Club who have
agreed to surrender their existing lease.
• The Southside Project Group which includes Growing Local CIC
(who encourage and educate communities to grow and eat local food)
and Belmont Wanderers FC have been identified as a recipient of
Stronger Towns funding which forms part of the Governments’
levelling up agenda to deliver community facilities to enhance the
well-being of local residents.
• In line with the council’s CAT policy the Southside
Project members have submitted reasoned and detailed business cases
demonstrating the community/sporting/educational value they can
deliver as a result of the grant of the leases and that they have
financial resource at their disposal to take on responsibility for
the property and deliver the identified outputs.
• The business cases have been evaluated by a panel of
officers from across the council and has recommended that the grant
of the leases is progressed
• The leases will be subject to confirmation that all
necessary planning and other statutory consents have been sought
and obtained
• In addition to the leases a development agreement is
required to deal with the construction of the proposed new
community building which will be used to provide the
community/sporting/educational services required by the Stronger
Towns funding