Issue - meetings

Purpose of Report

To update the Executive on the progress of the Western Growth Corridor development from the perspective of its landownership and developer role and to seek a decision to proceed with taking the development forward.

Decision

That the Executive:

(1)  Approves to continue to develop the Western Growth Corridor sustainable urban extension planning application in line with the updated vision and objectives.

(2)  Authorises officers to negotiate a Delivery Agreement with the adjacent landowner (Lindum) on the terms outlined in the report.

(3)  Agrees the principle of accepting the Homes England funding offer under the Local Authority Accelerated Construction Programme.

(4)  Delegates to the Section 151 Officer and the Major Development Director authority to agree the detail of the grant from Homes England and in consultation with the Leader enter into the Funding Agreement for the first phase of infrastructure opening up costs.

(5)  Agrees that officers progress the work required to deliver the associated outputs and conditions of the Homes England Funding Agreement including the appropriation of the necessary land from Housing Revenue Account to General Fund that would result in a further report back to the Executive.

(6)  Agrees the targeted timetable of actions set out in the report, including the public consultation.

(7)  Agrees that officers continue to develop a delivery model for the Council’s landholding for consideration at a future meeting of the Executive.

Alternation Options Considered and Rejected

Other options explored were set out in paragraph 13.1 of the report.

Key risks associated with the proposal were set out at paragraph 13.2 of the report, which included reference to a risk register which had been in place and had evolved throughout the development of the scheme.

Reason for Decision

Work on progressing delivery of the Western Growth Corridor development had been held up for over a year whilst resolution was sought on the following issues:

·         the Scarborough family landownership was structured to enable them to enter into the necessary agreements to bring forward the wider development and to then deliver development on their landholding;

·         undertaking of further detailed transport work to reflect the new county highways model with further analysis to identify the optimum highways access strategy for the development that also gave the best benefits to the existing residents and businesses in the adjacent communities and the wider city area;

·         the outcome of the Accelerated Construction funding bid.

Updates on these aspects of the scheme were set out in paragraphs 2.2 to 2.9 of the report, together with a revised project plan set out in paragraph 2.10 which included key milestones and a targeted timeline, with completion of the phase one infrastructure targeted for Winter 2020/21.

Consideration was also being given as to how the Council brought forward development on its landholding should consent be granted. Options included the setting up of a wholly owned development company, entering into a joint venture with a development partner and the Council itself undertaking a mix of development options. The latter involved the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46