Agenda item

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy seeking to secure approval for the disposal of the City Council’s interest in sites pertaining to the comprehensive redevelopment of land at St Oswalds for up to 300 new homes in partnership with Rooftop Housing Association (RHA).

Please note that appendices B and C are exempt from disclosure to the press and public by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person including the authority holding that information). If Members wish to discuss appendix B or C the Cabinet will need to resolve to exclude the press and public before doing so.

RESOLVED:

(1)            to authorise the Property Commissioning Manager, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy, Head of Policy and Resources and Head of Place:

a.      To accept a surrender from Tesco Stores Limited (at no more than market value) of the land edged Red on the Plan or otherwise to facilitate the transfer of that part of Tesco Stores Limited’s leasehold interest in the land edged Red to RHA

b.      To agree heads of terms with RHA for the disposal at best consideration of the freehold interest, or the grant of a long lease (for a term of at least 99 years from completion) in all or part of the areas of land shown edged Red, Purple and Yellow on the Plan (“the Property”) whether by one or more transactions

(2)            to authorise the Head of Policy and Resources to agree heads of terms with RHA for such financial agreements as may be desirable or necessary to protect payment of the purchase price negotiated under Resolution 1(b) until it is received

(3)            to authorise the Head of Place (insofar as they are not authorised under Resolutions 1 and 2 above, or otherwise delegated to an officer under the Constitution or lie with a Proper Officer) in consultation with the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy, the Head of Policy and Resources and the Council Solicitor to take all necessary steps and undertake necessary procedures, including but not limited to:

a.      entering into any legal arrangements or other documentation as may be required to facilitate the redevelopment of the site for up to 300 new homes on the Property

b.      to enter into partnership working arrangements with RHA desirable to achieve the comprehensive redevelopment outcomes described in Resolution 3(a)

(4)            to authorise the recipients of the delegations set out in Resolutions (1)–(3) above to instruct the Council Solicitor to prepare such documents as considered appropriate to achieve the outcomes set out in those Resolutions.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy that sought to secure approval for the disposal of the City Council’s interest in sites pertaining to the comprehensive redevelopment of land at St Oswalds for up to 300 new homes in partnership with Rooftop Housing Association (RHA).

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy advised Members of the hard work and determination it had taken to get to this stage whereby one of Gloucester’s biggest housing schemes in recent years could be delivered.  He further informed them of his own positive experience with RHA over the last decade and highlighted their proven track record in providing over 450 new good quality homes at a number of sites across the city.  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy emphasised that the proposed partnership would transform a derelict site, where previous attempts at development had stalled, to deliver a substantial number of affordable homes to improve people’s lives and fulfil commitments made by the administration.

The Cabinet Member for Environment commented that 300 new homes, with 200 being affordable, on a brownfield site would be a great thing to look forward to.  The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods thanked the Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy for driving the scheme forward and confirmed that RHA had a positive reputation as a good partner, developer and landlord.  She noted that the development would go towards addressing the genuine need for homes and exceed the target set for affordable housing in the city, an achievement which she believed boded well for the future.  The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure expressed his own gratitude towards both the Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy and the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods as well as officers for their hard work to generate actual homes to benefit real people at this and other sites.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources reminded Members that the opportunity had been made possible through prudent management of the property investment strategy.  She particularly thanked the Head of Place, Regeneration Consultant and Head of Policy and Resources.

RESOLVED:

(1)           to authorise the Property Commissioning Manager, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy, Head of Policy and Resources and Head of Place:

a.     To accept a surrender from Tesco Stores Limited (at no more than market value) of the land edged Red on the Plan or otherwise to facilitate the transfer of that part of Tesco Stores Limited’s leasehold interest in the land edged Red to RHA

b.     To agree heads of terms with RHA for the disposal at best consideration of the freehold interest, or the grant of a long lease (for a term of at least 99 years from completion) in all or part of the areas of land shown edged Red, Purple and Yellow on the Plan (“the Property”) whether by one or more transactions

(2)           to authorise the Head of Policy and Resources to agree heads of terms with RHA for such financial agreements as may be desirable or necessary to protect payment of the purchase price negotiated under Resolution 1(b) until it is received

(3)           to authorise the Head of Place (insofar as they are not authorised under Resolutions 1 and 2 above, or otherwise delegated to an officer under the Constitution or lie with a Proper Officer) in consultation with the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy, the Head of Policy and Resources and the Council Solicitor to take all necessary steps and undertake necessary procedures, including but not limited to:

a.     entering into any legal arrangements or other documentation as may be required to facilitate the redevelopment of the site for up to 300 new homes on the Property

b.     to enter into partnership working arrangements with RHA desirable to achieve the comprehensive redevelopment outcomes described in Resolution 3(a)

(4)           to authorise the recipients of the delegations set out in Resolutions (1)–(3) above to instruct the Council Solicitor to prepare such documents as considered appropriate to achieve the outcomes set out in those Resolutions.