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: 9.1 Property Services are in the process of selling land at Daniel Hill Street, Walkley for Housing. A 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 various comments and objections from residents. Under the constitution, it is a requirement that these objections are considered by Finance & Performance Policy Committee.     9.2 RESOLVED: That the Finance and Performance Policy Committee;   ·       Grants approval to proceed to the next stage of the disposal process.     (NOTE: The result of the vote was FOR – 7 Members; AGAINST – 2 Members; ABSTENTIONS – 0 Members)   9.3 Reasons for Decision     9.3.1 ·       The site sits within a residential zone 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 may address most of the concerns raised. ·       In addition, Feedback sought from planning on the proposal states: ‘the site would fail to meet the definition of open space contained within the NPPF, it would be difficult to sustain a refusal of its development for housing, and that subject to the houses having adequate off-street parking (minimum 1 space per dwelling), then it is not considered that it would lead to any significant harm to highway safety. These matters as well as the effect on the Conservation Area would be fully considered as part of a full planning application’. ·       A decision to proceed would help the Council meet its objectives as set out in The Councils Plan and detailed in section 3 below. ·       Once complete, the sale will result in a capital receipt and Council Tax revenue for the Council. ·       A delayed decision could result in the developer walking away as the sale is not legally binding until contracts are exchanged.     9.4 Alternatives Considered and Rejected     9.4.1 Alternative Option 1:Withdraw from the sale(s) and do nothing     This is not considered appropriate because:   ·       The site would remain in the Councils 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 the approx. 260 remaining small sites and thus prevent them from coming forward as housing sites in the future.   9.4.2 Alternative Option 2: There are no known alternatives, however there may be unexplored options which Property Services have not considered.