Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: For Determination

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: November 11, 2025

Purpose:

Content:  RESOLVED: Cabinet;   a)     Noted and approved the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Budget and Viability Appraisal for the Buckton Fields Affordable Housing Opportunity as outlined in exempt Appendix A. b)     Delegated authority to the Director of Communities and Opportunities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, the Chief Finance Officer, and the Monitoring Officer, to negotiate and enter into a Sale and Purchase Agreement – and any other necessary agreements – with Taylor Wimpey, in order to implement the proposals outlined in this report. This delegation is subject to the satisfactory completion of all due diligence and independent valuations and must adhere to the terms set out in the Council’s Offer and this report.   REASONS RESOLVED:   1.     Accepting these recommendations will enable the acquisition of 36 flats, with 29 to be let on a social rent tenure and a further 7 to be used for temporary accommodation. As these 1 and 2 bed flats are complete with all necessary documentation and Building Control sign off in place they are ready for occupation, this represents a significant and immediate opportunity to address the need for new affordable homes and delivers on the objectives of the Council’s Housing Strategy and Affordable Homes Delivery Plan. •         Theme 1 of the Housing Strategy determines that WNC is committed to “delivering the homes people need and can afford”, additionally point 9 of the Affordable Homes Delivery Plan is to “accelerate the supply of new Council homes”. 2.     This scheme will utilise already approved budgets, drawing down funds from the HRA Capital Programme ‘new-build pool’ and the Local Authority Housing Fund budget. This is detailed in exempt Appendix A. 3.     Taking this opportunity enables us to provide much needed social rented housing and temporary accommodation, as well as avoids the risk of these units standing empty for a prolonged period of time, leading to an overall decrease of this year’s planned affordable housing provision in West Northamptonshire. 4.     Furthermore, the Council bringing forward these units for social rent and TA, as opposed to the intermediate ‘rent-to-buy’ tenure previously planned as detailed below, will further support us in tackling our most acute housing need. 5.     Proceeding with the acquisition of these units represents a time and cost-effective way to deliver more social rented accommodation and TA at pace, contributing towards addressing housing need and delivering on key strategic objectives of the Council.   ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS: If the Council does not act to secure these units there is a risk that they will remain vacant for the foreseeable future, preventing them being let to households in West Northamptonshire that need affordable homes. The Council would not typically seek to take on Section 106 homes as they are not eligible for Homes England AHP grant funding. However, given our local need for affordable housing, the risk of these units remaining vacant and the significant discount offered by Taylor Wimpey there is a robust case for the Council to acquire these blocks.