Agenda item

The Principle Solicitor presented a report in respect of land located on the former Upper Norgrove House site in Webheath, which had been declared surplus some years previously.  This was located at a strategic site for housing development, as detailed in the Council’s Local Plan.  The site was not large but it was important due to its location.  There was the potential for the use of the site to contribute to meeting housing needs in the Borough but Officers were suggesting that flexibility was needed to explore all options further. 

The Upper Norgrove House site was owned by the Council, with .82 acres held by the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and 2.2 acres held by the General Fund.  Officers were proposing that the costs associated with further work in respect of this site should continue to be funded from both.

There had been a number of reports to Committee in respect of the site but the last one was over ten years ago. Members agreed that it was important to make progress in respect of developing the area.  The Council needed the flexibility to respond quickly to any approach from the owners of the land adjoining the site and for this reason it would be helpful to delegate the Head of Legal, Equalities and Democratic Services with the power to enter into negotiations and collaboration agreement/s with them and other relevant organisations, regarding this site, rather than requiring all points to be referred back to Committee.

During consideration of this item Councillor Bill Hartnett proposed an amendment to the first recommendation detailed in the report.  This amendment was seconded by Councillor Greg Chance.

The amendment proposed that the word “social” should be inserted into the recommendation so that it would read as follows:

“The Council-owned site at Upper Norgrove House be included in a scheme for the provision of social housing, in co-operation with adjoining landowners who wish to secure planning permission to develop their land in collaboration with the Council”.

In proposing the amendment Councillor Bill Hartnett noted that at paragraph 3.7 to the report it was recognised that the Council could explore options to use the site to increase the Council’s housing stock, but this was not then reflected in the wording of the recommendations.  The insertion of “social” into the recommendation would help to ensure that the Council gave consideration to the development of social housing on the site.

In seconding the proposed amendment Councillor Greg Chance commented that it was important to ensure that funding from the HRA was invested in social housing wherever possible.  The Council had previously committed to increasing the number of Council houses in the Borough through the Housing Growth Programme and this amendment would help to support that programme.

Members subsequently discussed the proposed amendment.  Concerns were raised that this amendment could restrict the options available to the Council and create complications that would have an impact on the Council’s ability to negotiate a good deal with  third parties.  Should a housing development be agreed for the site this would be subject to the planning process and  the Council’s expectations in terms of social housing in line with  the Local Plan.  Members noted that it was important to achieve best value for the site and concerns were raised that the amendment could undermine this objective. 

On being put to the vote the amendment was lost.

RESOLVED that

1)        the Council-owned site at Upper Norgrove House be included in a scheme  for the provision of housing, in co-operation with adjoining land owners who wish to secure planning permission to develop their land in collaboration with the Council;

2)        authority be delegated to the Head of Legal Equalities and Democratic Services and the Chief Executive, following consultation with the Leader, to negotiate and enter into collaboration agreements with those adjacent owners (and third parties identified as necessary), to deliver the proposal if approved;

3)        the Head of Legal, Equalities and Democratic Services be delegated authority to agree the appointment of an external legal advisor as a member of the development group, and an independent legal advisor and other necessary professional support to advise the Council in relation to the implementation of the decision and the legal arrangements required to deliver it; and

RECOMMENDED that

4)        the associated cost of £25k is funded from General Fund Balances (£17k) and HRA reserves (£8k).