Decision details

The land adjoining 14 Horseshoes Lane, Weston Colville was the subject of a Decision Notice dated 13.4.2017 for the approval of the sale of land, following the identification of this site as one of 100 self-build plots in our District.

The first Decision Notice was drafted following obtaining Outline Planning Permission ref: S/2593/16/OL and this site was subsequently marketed twice by Carter Jonas, in accordance with the requirement placed on Local Authorities to adhere to S.123 of the Local Government Act 1972, which seeks to ensure that public assets i.e. residential building plots, are disposed of at “best price” (market value) to safeguard the tax payers’ interests and prevent any possible Judicial Challenge.

The first period of open marketing, across multiple platforms and directed both to the existing register and to the general public, resulted in no bids being received. The site was then remarketed in July 2018 and only one bid was received – well below the expected value. Accordingly, as we could not provide written notification from our marketing agents that best value had been achieved, this bid was rejected.

We have now been informed by our marketing agents, Carter Jonas, that we have received a more realistic offer. The applicant is a self-builder and intends to build a Net Zero Carbon econ home produced by the company he works for Net Zero Homes (based in Six Mile Bottom).

We will shortly receive written notification from Carter Jonas, that the obligation to achieve “best price” in accordance with S.123 of The Local Government Act 1972 has been discharged.

Approval granted for the sale of HRA owned land adjoining 14 Horseshoes Lane, Weston Colville, which has outline planning permission for the erection of a single dwelling for the best value price.

Sale of land is in accordance with the approved business case, with receipts invested into the Housing Revenue Account.

Option 1: Not to approve the sale of land for the highest bid.

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.