Decision details

The Self and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 and the Housing and Planning Act 2016 place a statutory duty on all local authorities to hold and promote a register of self-build applicants, hold a land register and provide sufficient appropriate planning consents to meet demand.

We recognise that there is a need for more housing options to be made available across the district. As an existing Right to Build Vanguard Authority we are leading on best practice in the region. Part of our offer as a Right to Build Vanguard Authority was the identification and promotion of 100 self-build plots in our district.

As part of a wider Self Build Business Case, this programme was put before EMT on 6^th April 2016 and subsequently approved by Cabinet on 14^th July 2016. The aim is to sell sufficient HRA owned plots of land with outline planning permission and use receipts into the HRA to fund out new build affordable council homes matched funded with Right to Buy receipts and commuted sums.

The HRA Business Plan for new build affordable rented council housing is predicated on the successful sale of the identified pipeline of HRA owned plots (subject to planning) to bring the funds into the HRA that allow onward new build development in our rural district referencing Local Plan and City Deal targets of which this function will support albeit at around 30 – 40 new homes per year from 2018/19.

The site to the rear of 1 Benet Close, Milton. CB24 6AL was identified as one of those plots. The site has achieved outline planning permission: S/2989/17/OL and is now ready to be marketed and sold.

In line with the HRA Asset Sustainability Policy (Disposals and Acquisitions) – [Supplementary document to the Asset Management Strategy], the sale of land is exempted from Secretary of State approval under general consent, namely the General Housing Consents 2013 – Section 32 of the Housing Act 1985. Under S32 the local authority has the power to dispose of land and dwellings held for housing purposes.

Outline planning permission reference S/2989/17/OL was given on 7^th December 2017 for 1 detached house.

Any sale will follow marketing both to the existing applicant register as well as general public marketing to ensure best value is achieved. Final sale value will be certified as market value by an independent valuer. Final sign off is need by Portfolio Holder and Director over final sale once value is known.

Approval granted for the sale of HRA owned land to rear of 1 Benet Close, Milton. CB24 6AL which has outline planning permission for 1 detached house.

Capital receipt will go directly into HRA for funding out affordable council new build housing.

Do not give approval

Reason for Rejection: Part of our offer as a Right to Build Vanguard was the identification and promotion of 100 self-build plots in our district. We have an existing approved business case. The funding of new affordable council housing is dependent upon onward plot sales.