Purpose

The
purpose of the Strategic Land Review Programme is to report on
progress and set out a list of land and property that the Council
intends to either sell, develop in partnership or self-develop or
transfer ownership in the forthcoming year(s), together with a
summary report of the previous year’s progress.
 
The
Strategic Land Review Programme is an integral part of the
Council’s Estates Strategy and is the conclusion of a
corporate process of identification of surplus assets linked to
service planning and an options appraisal process.

Decision

1)   
That the outcome of the 2024/25 Land Sales Programme
be noted.
 
2)   
That the Disposal Programme for 2025/26 as set out
in the report and the sites that have been earmarked for disposal /
development, be noted and approved.

 
3)   
That authority be delegated to the Corporate
Director of Place to:

 

a)   
Negotiate and accept bids in consultation with the
Director of Finance and Systems and Director of Legal and
Governance for all sites listed on the Disposal
Programme.
 

b)   
Engage external resources where this will assist in
implementing the programme, including a professional team where
reasonably required to support a development project.

 

c)   
Commission, submit and / or authorise as
appropriate:

 

i)            
any applications for planning permission on any
properties included in the programme where this will assist in
marketing and/or add value, or in any case where the Council is
proposing to redevelop the site whether directly or in partnership
with another party.
 

ii)           
any surveys/investigations where such surveys will
reduce the risks associated with redevelopment, add value to the
capital receipt /revenue return and/or assist with the preparation,
submission and resolution of any planning permission application,
or any other usual pre-development survey or
investigation.

 

iii)          
any feasibility study or design for the site and or
premises in association with either obtaining a planning consent or
as part of options appraisal.

 

iv)          
any demolitions or physical alterations that will
either reduce the risks associated with holding the premises or
accelerate the sale/redevelopment and/or add value to the capital
receipt/revenue return.

 

d)   
Offset eligible disposal costs against capital
receipts in accordance with capital regulations.
 

e)   
Advertise the intention to dispose of a site
in the event that it comprises open
space as defined by the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, in
accordance with the relevant statutory procedure, and if any
objections are received, to refer to the relevant portfolio holder
for consideration in consultation with the Executive Member for
Environment and Regulatory Services.

 

f)    
Acquire adjacent land or property where the
acquisition will either add value to the overall development or
de-risk the disposal/development of the Council asset.

 

g)   
Delegate authority to the Corporate Director of
Place, in consultation with the Executive Member for Housing and
Regeneration and the Director of Finance and Systems, to add or
substitute sites into the programme during the year including sites
with a value of over £499,999.

 

h)   
Transfer sites from Category 1 to 2 and vice
versa.

 

i)    
Commission security services.

 

j)    
Authorise alternative methods of disposal where
appropriate.

 

k)   
Authorise community engagement and consultations
where the Corporate Director of Place deems it necessary or
advantageous.

 

l)    
In relation to any site currently in development or
any site which commences development during this programme, agree
any licence or approve the grant of any easement or lease or any
other disposal, including where that disposal taken in isolation
would constitute a disposal at undervalue, which is designed or
intended to implement or facilitate the development.

 

m) 
Authorise marketing, pricing and disposal strategies
and authorise the sale of plots, either individually or in blocks,
including where the anticipated or actual capital receipt exceeds
£499,999.

 
4)   
That the Director of Legal and Governance in
consultation with the Corporate Director of Place and, where
appropriate, the Director for Finance and Systems, be delegated
authority to finalise and enter into all legal agreements required
to implement the Disposal Programme for 2025/2026.