Decision details

The purpose of this decision is to approve the option for the sale of Council-owned land identified as Option 1 on the attached Plan ‘A’ and a further option for the sale of garden land at no.31 Station Road (identified as Option 2) on the attached Plan ‘B’.

To approve the option for the sale of land identified on Plan ‘A’ (access land) for the price of £200,000.  Heads of terms to be agreed by the Head of Housing Strategy.

To approve the option for the sale of garden land identified on Plan ‘B’ for the price of £5,000 subject to improvements to fencing and car parking for the tenant at no.31 Station Road.  Heads of terms to be agreed by the Head of Housing Strategy, subject to an overage clause to secure further capital receipt of 50% of the uplift if further development was granted.

The proposed development has received planning permission for 22 homes, of which 9 will be affordable homes.  The provision of affordable housing is a key priority for the Council.

The Council has no legitimate use of the access land.

The sale price of £200,000 will support the Council’s Housing Revenue Account and the delivery of new affordable council homes.

This would enable the access to be widened enabling the road to be brought up to an adoptable standard, which would reduce maintenance costs for tenants and residents of the new development.

The tenant at no.31 Station Road is happy to release the garden land and has been fully consulted on this option.

The sale price of £5,000 will provide an additional capital receipt to the Housing Revenue Account and secure a further capital receipt if the development increased beyond the 22 units.

Option 1: To refuse the sale of land (Option A) at the recommended sale price of £200,000.

Reasons for Rejection: An ‘in principle’ decision has already been agreed to sell the land and the valuation of £200,000 is considered good value for money, achieving 50% of the uplift in value.  A capital receipt of £200,000 can go towards providing more affordable housing through the Council’s new build programme.

Option 2: To agree to the sale of land for the proposed access (Option A) but refuse the sale of the additional garden land (Option B).

Reasons for Rejection: The tenant is supportive of releasing the garden land.  By widening the access this would enable the road to be adopted which would reduce maintenance costs for the new tenants and residents of the proposed scheme.  The merits of widening the access and the views of the parish council should be a consideration by the Planning Department in determining any further planning applications for the scheme.  The sale of garden land (Option B) would achieve an additional £5,000 for the Housing Revenue Account and secure an overage to maximise the capital receipt if further development was achieved through planning permission.