Issue - meetings

The Interim Deputy Chief Executive presented the report in respect of the Land at Upper Norgrove.

The Committee was reminded that the site had been allocated for housing as part of the Council’s Local Plan in 2017. A further update report had been considered by the Executive Committee of the proposals in July 2021. There had been some negotiations with neighbouring landowners regarding the development / disposal of the property. However, these negotiations had not been successful, and a market exercise was undertaken to market the Council’s land as a standalone development opportunity.

It was reported that an offer had been received from Bloor Homes Ltd and that it was recommended that this offer be accepted.

Following the presentation of the report, some Members queried why the Council was not proposing to build its own Social Housing on this site. It was stated that as this was a large site it was not prudent for the Council to undertake such a large project, and that it was more appropriate to continue to build new homes, such as the 19-house development recently completed, in pockets of Council owned land.

RECOMMENDED that

1)    The Council dispose of the above site to Bloor Homes Ltd on the basis of the offer received as described in Appendix 1 to this report.

2)    Authority be delegated to the Head of Legal Democratic and Property Services and the Section 151 Officer to implement the disposal.

(During the consideration of this item, Members discussed matters that necessitated the disclosure of exempt information. It was therefore agreed to move to exclude the press and public prior to any debate on the grounds that information would be revealed relating to the financial and business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).