Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: November 11, 2025

Purpose: To agree marketing and disposal of 5 sites

Content: This report sought to authorise the Corporate Director for Resources, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources, to proceed with a disposal programme of five sites, all identified as being surplus Council owned assets. The assets were spread across the County – two in High Wycombe, one in Aylesbury, with the others being in Wing and Winslow. All bar one of the sites were already identified for disposal in the current MTFP. The exception was previously allocated to a development project with a public sector partner, but this transaction had recently fallen away. This site was  vacant, non-revenue generating and available for immediate disposal.   The marketing strategy for each site was to conduct an open market campaign seeking conditional and unconditional offers. The objective was to attract a broad range of bids for each of the sites. These can then be evaluated to determine which proposal best met the Council’s overall objectives including financial, and contribution to both the economic growth prospects and social benefits to the area. Disposal of these sites for housing would also comply with Priority 3 of the Buckinghamshire Housing Strategy to “explore the use of local authority assets and resources for the purposes of delivering additional new housing.   The five properties were:- i.                    Orchard House and Courtyard site, both in High Wycombe (to be marketed at the same time). ii.                  Thame Road, Aylesbury, adjoining Aylesbury College. iii.                Former Highway Depot site, Wing. iv.                Four single dwelling plots on Oak Way, Winslow.   RESOLVED that with regard to all of the sites listed at paragraph 3.2, that the  Corporate Director for Resources be authorised in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources to:   • Market the sites to achieve the best consideration under Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972. • Appoint a marketing agent to secure bids for the disposal of the sites. • Approve a disposal budget to cover marketing, due diligence and legal costs as set out in the Confidential Annex of the report. • Implement the Council’s communication plan. • Negotiate draft heads of terms with preferred purchasers and instruct legal to prepare all the necessary legal documentation, agreements including service of any notices and/or submission of any applications required for the sale of these properties. • With regard to the Winslow site only, in the event of no offers for all four plots being received, plots to be lotted and considered for individual sale.