Decision details

Cabinet RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL that:

(a)               formal approval be given for a redevelopment scheme for the Windmill Estate, subject to necessary planning consents and Secretary of State approval;

(b)               the existing Council-owned properties and land be transferred to Nene Housing Association at nil cost;

(c)               the scope of any redevelopment scheme should, as far as possible, include all the existing area of the estate subject to existing tenants and owner-occupiers being willing and / or able to participate.  Where necessary, plans should be amended over time to cater for changing needs and to provide flexibility to accommodate as far as possible the wishes of all the existing residents;

(d)               the preferred tenure mix and house types be as outlined in Option A which will provide 65% as affordable housing (comprising 124 rented and 52 shared ownership units) together with 35% as open market sales within an overall target of 270 homes;

(e)               the following conditions be attached to the approval of a redevelopment scheme:

(i)                 that Nene Housing Association meet all legal costs and home loss / disturbance payments incurred by the Council in respect of the Windmill Estate since 2004/05 to date as well as any future payments and liabilities;

(ii)                that any amendments to the scheme mix in terms of tenure and / or house types / sizes be agreed in consultation with the Council;

(iii)              that the Council be entitled to receive nomination rights of 100% of initial lets and 75% of subsequent lettings of all social rented units provided through refurbished and new build affordable housing on the sites and that the Council receive 100% nomination rights in perpetuity to any shared ownership and / or other intermediate tenures;

(iv)              that the Council not seek to use compulsory purchase powers to facilitate the redevelopment and that as far as possible the wishes of all residents (tenants, owner-occupiers and leaseholders) should be accommodated without compromising the wishes of others on the Windmill Estate;

(v)               that Nene confirm and make provision to meet contributions previously agreed in principle to the Special Projects Officer role for 2006/07 and 2007/08 and consider future contributions if this post were to be considered essential by both Nene and the Council to delivery of the project beyond 31 March 2008; and

(vi)              that an acceptable “construction code of practice” be agreed with the contractor that takes regard of non-participating residents; and

(f)                 the Council exercise its discretion to waive any discount repayment liability in respect of any Right to Buy sales caught within such provisions if this would enable affected owners to participate in the redevelopment scheme.