Decision Maker: Finance and Performance Policy Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: February 17, 2025

Purpose:

Content: 8.1 Property Services are in the process of selling a parcel of land at Junction Road, Woodhouse, in a joint sale along with a private landowner for housing. The sale has been agreed subject to contract and planning. Before contracts can be exchanged, the publication of public open space notices must be fulfilled as a legal requirement. These publications have generated three written comments / objections from two local residents. Under the constitution, it is a requirement that these objections are considered by Finance & Performance Policy Committee. .     8.2 RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Finance and Performance Policy Committee:   ·       Grants approval to proceed to the next stage of the disposal process.       8.3 Reasons for Decision     8.3.1 ·       The site sits within a residential area and is supported for housing delivery by Planning. ·       Property Services consider the comments received to be matters which would be given due consideration by the Planning Authority as part of the planning process. ·       Once detailed planning applications are submitted, the public will have a further opportunity to review, comment and object, having sight of the detailed information and statements prepared by the developers or their consultants which should address some of the concerns raised. ·       In addition, the proposed purchaser will conduct their own public consultation and propose to do this by way of a community leaflet and a website to show the site layout plan once finalised. ·       A decision to proceed would help the Council meet its objectives as set out in The Councils Plan and detailed in section 3 below. ·       The draft proposal will provide approximately 42 affordable homes. ·       Once complete, this sale will result in a capital receipt and Council Tax revenue for the Council. ·       A late decision could result in either developer walking away as neither sale is legally binding until contracts are exchanged.             8.4 Alternatives Considered and Rejected     8.4.1 Alternative Option 1: Withdraw from the sale(s) and do nothing   This is not considered appropriate because: ·       The site would remain in the Council’s ownership and an on-going maintenance liability would remain with the authority.   ·       The objections raised are issues that will be considered during the planning process, where the public can formally scrutinise and comment upon the detail of the proposed schemes. ·       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.     8.4.2 Alternative Option 2:   There are no known alternatives, however there may be unexplored options which Property Services have not considered.