Issue - meetings

Key Decision

Councillor Tom Hollis – Deputy Leader and Executive Lead Member for Strategic Housing and Climate Change

Members were advised about the opportunity to develop Hardwick Lane Recreation Ground for the purpose of affordable housing and views were sought regarding consent to appropriate the land from the General Fund to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for this purpose.

(Councillors Samantha Deakin, Rachel Madden, Andy Meakin and Helen-Ann Smith had previously advised that they were predetermined in respect of this matter. They therefore left the room and took no part in the discussion or voting thereon.)

Members considered the alternative option of leaving Hardwick Lane Recreation Ground as open space, but this option was not recommended

due to the ongoing need for affordable housing and the site being suitable for development.

RESOLVED that

a)    the responses to the consultation that took place with residents regarding the proposal to appropriate Hardwick Lane Recreation Ground from the Council’s General Fund to the Housing Revenue Account, thus making it potentially available for housing purposes be duly considered and noted;

b)    approval be given for the appropriation of Hardwick Lane Recreation Ground from the General Fund to the Housing Revenue Account;

c)    delegated authority be granted to the Executive Lead Member for Strategic Housing & Climate Change, the Executive Director - Place and the Corporate Resources Director, to agree an appropriation value based upon an external valuation of the land;

d)    approval be given for the development of Hardwick Lane Recreation Ground for the purpose of affordable housing;

e)    delegated authority be granted to the Executive Lead Member for Strategic Housing & Climate Change, the Executive Director - Place and the Corporate Resources Director to negotiate and formalise final scheme costs, specification and delivery;

f)     delegated authority be granted to the Executive Lead Member for Strategic Housing & Climate Change, the Executive Director – Place and the Corporate Resources Director, to procure and appoint a contractor to develop the site for the purpose of affordable housing;

g)    delegated authority be granted to the Executive Lead Member for Strategic Housing & Climate Change and the Executive Director - Place, to contract, on behalf of the Council, with Homes England, for the purposes of receiving subsidy to ensure that the proposed development is financially viable.

Reasons:

1.    A Corporate Plan objective is to ensure every Ashfield resident has access to a suitable and appropriate home. As part of this, the Council is committed to significantly increasing the supply of affordable homes. Doing so will help meet the needs of the 4000+ applicants on the Housing Register and will help deal with the growing issue of homelessness in the District.

2.    The Council has utilised its own land holdings for the purpose of building new affordable homes, doing so helps ensure the development is affordable and makes the best use of available land resources.

3.    The Council is conscious about the need to balance building new homes with the loss of open space and amenity. On balance, in view of its current use and the availability of other open spaces in the area, it is felt that Hardwick Lane  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15