Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Lead Housing Strategy Manager.

approved the disposal of land at Hermitage Road, Earith to BPHA on the terms set out in the report now submitted.

The Cabinet considered a report by the Lead Housing Strategy Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Annex to the Minute Book) seeking approval for the proposed disposal of Council-owned land at Hermitage Road, Earith for affordable housing development. The report had been considered also by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic) whose comments were relayed to the Cabinet.

In discussing the contents of the report, Executive Councillors stressed the importance of providing affordable housing for the village and asked that the award of local nomination rights to the Council for the affordable homes built on this site be explored. Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that the disposal of land at Hermitage Road, Earith to BPHA be approved on the terms set out in the report now submitted.

To consider a report by the Lead Housing Strategy Manager.

(Councillor J A Gray, Executive Councillor for Resources, was in attendance for this item).

With the assistance of a report by the Lead Housing Strategy Manager (a copy of which is appended in the annex to the Minute Book) the Panel considered a proposal to sell Council owned land at Hermitage Road, Earith for affordable housing development. Following a brief introduction by the Executive Councillor for Resources, the Lead Housing Strategy Manager provided further information on the planning policy provisions relating to the site and on the requirements which had been placed on local housing associations who wished to submit a ‘qualifying’ bid. Members were informed that bids were assessed on two competitive criteria.

The Panel discussed the housing needs identified in the village housing needs survey and the Local Plan, the design and quality standards for the build and the capacity assessment of the site submitted by the successful bidder. Members stressed that the Council should retain the nomination rights to the affordable homes built on the site.

Having noted the value the land would have for alternative uses and the views of the Executive Councillor who suggested that the proposal struck a good balance between addressing the need for social housing within the District and generating a capital receipt for the Authority, it was

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet be recommended to dispose of the site at Hermitage Road, Earith on the terms set out in the report now submitted.