Content

10.1

The
Assistant Director of Property and Chief Property Officer
introduced the report which proposed to dispose of a parcel of open
space land at Ardmore Street, Attercliffe for the delivery of
Affordable Housing. A written objection to the proposed disposal of
the land had been received. Finance & Performance Policy
Committee was asked to consider the objection and agree to the
disposal of the land.

 

 

10.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Finance and
Performance Policy Committee:-
 
a)   
Consider the objection to the proposed disposal of open space land
at Ardmore Street, Attercliffe and the response to that objection
as set out in the report and Appendix B; and
b)   
Approve the disposal of the land to the Purchaser and for the
purpose set out in the report.

 

 

10.3

Reasons for Decision

 

 

10.3.1

The
disposal will contribute towards the Councils wider objective to
deliver more affordable housing for the people of Sheffield. The
disposal will ensure delivery of 59 units for social rent and the
Council will also have nomination rights for the new homes ensure
housing need is met.

 

 

10.3.2

A
contaminated site will be remediated and will contribute to
regeneration of a deprived area in Attercliffe.

 

 

10.3.3

The
disposal will raise capital and revenue for the Council.

 

 

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

 

 

10.4.1

Withdraw from the sale and do nothing
 
This is
not considered appropriate because:
 
·      
The site would remain in the Councils ownership, and an on-going
maintenance liability would remain with the authority.
·      
The grant to remediate the site would potentially be lost so that
the contaminated site would not be remediated and could not be
brought forward for future residential development for the delivery
of Affordable Housing.
·      
The site has been identified in the Housing Growth Delivery Plan
2025- 2030 as a location for new affordable housing.
·      
Planning considers the merits of the allocation of the sites for
open space purposes when allocating land for housing. The severe
shortage of housing land in the city is a known issue.
·      
By doing nothing, the Council may establish a precedent for future
land disposals and thus prevent them from coming forward as housing
sites in the future.

 

 
 

10.4.2

The
Council to deliver the site itself for new affordable
housing
 
This
option has been rejected because:
 
·      
The Council does not currently have sufficient resources to deliver
all the affordable homes that are required to meet the growing
housing need within the city.
·      
Investment in new homes needs to be balanced against resources
required for repairs and improvements to existing stock whilst
remaining financially prudent.
·      
As a result, and in line with the approved Housing Growth delivery
plan 2025-30, a programme of land disposals to increase the supply
of affordable homes is also being progressed. This still supports
the increased delivery of affordable homes but at less capital cost
to the Council.