Purpose

 To consider declaring various assets surplus
to enable disposal

Content

RESOLVED
 
KEY DECISION
 
That the Executive:
 

a)      
Declared the following sites
surplus and approve their disposal in accordance with the
Council’s Asset Disposal Policy, noting the ongoing review of
two sites, Saunders Close and Beech Close, for Council
Housing:

•        
Jackson’s Lane Car Park,
Wellingborough

•        
Saunders Close Land,
Kettering

•        
Land at the corner of Rectory Rd,
Rushden 

•        
Phase 2 Glenvale Park,
Wellingborough

•        
Beech Close, Desborough

 

b)      
Delegated authority to the
Assistant Director for Assets and Environment in consultation with
the Executive Member for Assets, Waste and Environmental Services
to progress the disposal of the sites and agree the sale
terms. 

 

c)       
Delegated authority to the
Executive Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) in consultation
with Executive Member for Finance, Efficiency & Change to
approve the appropriation of the Saunders Close and Beech Close
sites from the General Fund to the Housing Revenue Account, subject
to a financial appraisal of the transfer and scheme.

Reason for
Recommendations:

 

•        
These sites have been confirmed as
surplus through the Asset Management Review Group, and the Council
therefore should bring sites to the open market to contribute to
wider economic development benefits.

•        
It provides capital receipts for
the Council, which support the payment of capital projects in the
capital programme.  This reduces capital borrowing
costs. 

•        
There are controls through the
planning process, including consultation associated with that
process, for the community to be engaged in the outcome of any
development on the sites. 

•        
Bringing sites forward for
development contributes to North Northamptonshire area housing
supply and to regeneration of their respective
areas. 

•        
Progressing the sales of these
sites will result in the Council reducing the revenue holding
costs. 

•        
Any developments will be
regulated by planning legislation with building regulations including those
supporting accessibility and the requirement for adherence to
energy and sustainability requirements. 

 

Alternative Options
Considered:

 

•         
The sites have had an extensive
review of alternative options through the AMRG, which includes
service area representatives, who confirmed the sites will not meet
their needs and/or are not financially viable for their requirements. Many have been vacant for some time and incur
holding costs. 

•         
The outcome of Housings financial
appraisal of the sites under consideration could be awaited.
However, given the sites have been under review for some time and
in the interest of efficiency and bringing forward a capital
receipt, it is recommended the sites are declared surplus now. The
recommendation allows for a transfer of the Assets to the HRA if
deemed financially acceptable. 

•         
A review of the markets, including
land values and planning policy, shows that there
are private
sector options for development of these sites and, once developed,
these uses will contribute to employment and community
opportunities for North Northamptonshire.