Issue - meetings

To receive a report on Post Hill Affordable Housing Site from the Deputy Chief Executive (S151 Officer).

Cabinet had before it a report * from the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) Officer and the Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing on the Purchase for Land at Post Hill Tiverton.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Property Services outlined the contents of the report with particular reference to following:

·         On the 29 August 2023 Cabinet resolved that the Council’s Housing Revenue Account (HRA) would not progress its proposed development and tender for Post Hill, Tiverton for the provision of 70 affordable homes. This decision was informed by a detailed options analysis that determined the site was not viable and did not represent a strong value for money business case for the HRA.

·         Cabinet further resolved to grant delegated authority to the S151 Officer and the Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing to explore alternative options for the delivery of affordable housing at Post Hill including potential sale or transfer of the site in order to complete the development of 70 units. This was to be brought back to Cabinet for future consideration.

·         The purpose of this report was to advise members on options that had now been explored with third-party registered housing providers including a bidding process and confirm the sale of the Post Hill site.

The Cabinet member for Finance highlighted the following:

·         The Cabinet chose not to progress the project as it was not financially viable and there has been an offer put forward for the Land at Post Hill.

Consideration was given to:

·         The energy performance and representative of the developer for the site.

·         The leverage following the sale to collaborate with the development about Bio Diversity duty and net zero. 

RESOLVED that:

1.    Approve the sale of Post Hill for affordable housing development to Bidder 1 as set out in Annex A (Part II).

2.    Delegated authority be granted to the S151 Officer and the Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing (in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Finance and Housing & Property Services) to complete the contract of sale.

(Proposed by Cllr S Clist and seconded by Cllr J Buczkowski)

Reason for the Decision:

Any registered provider bringing forward a scheme of affordable housing on this site must meet a core legal definition of this type of accommodation. Affordable housing includes homes for sale or rent and is for people whose needs are not met by the private market. The Government’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) defines the types of affordable housing as Affordable Housing for Rent and Affordable Housing for Sale.

Note * Report previously circulated.