Issue - meetings

To provide an update on the programme of development and acquisitions to maintain a pipeline of affordable housing delivery and seek approval to proceed to the pre-construction phase for the proposed scheme of new build affordable homes on land owned by the Council off Rookery Lane.

The report also sought approval to carry out the demolition of Garfield View, Woodburn View and Trelawney Church, all located off Queen Elizabeth Road on land identified for future development.

Decision

(1)       That the outline proposals for the delivery of a scheme of approximately 48 units off Rookery Lane be approved.

(2)       That a further report be presented to the Executive once the final scheme cost has been confirmed.

(3)       That a further budget allocation to proceed to the pre-construction phase of the scheme, funded from the Housing Improvement Programme new build allocation, be approved.

(4)       That proposals for the demolition of Garfield View, Woodburn View and the former Ermine Methodist Church and a budget, funded from the Housing Improvement Programme new build allocation, be approved.

Other options considered and rejected were set out in paragraph 8.1 of the report.

The report provided an updated programme for the delivery of housing across the City for the period up to 2022.

A concept plan for a scheme of 48 affordance homes off Rookery Lane was proposed, as set out in the report. This proposal would be developed for further consultation and a planning application prepared for submission in March 2020. During this pre-construction phase, technical survey work would be carried out to inform the detailed design of the scheme in order to improve cost certainty. It was estimated that the scheme would commence on-site by December 2020, subject to the granting of planning permission and approval of the final costs and delivery budget. This would be the subject of a further report to the Executive.

It was also proposed to progress with the demolition of Garfield View, Woodburn View and Trelawney Church, all located off Queen Elizabeth Road. The demolition of Garfield View and Woodburn View was required to enable access into the proposed housing site whereas the demolition of Trelawney Church was required to prepare the site for future development. Early demolition of these properties would reduce the authority’s Council Tax liability and costs associated with the upkeep and maintenance of vacant property whilst development proposals were being reviewed.

Further details regarding the programme for delivery up to 2022 and proposals relating to Rookery Lane and Queen Elizabeth Road in particular, were set out in the report.