DIRECTOR DECISION

Decision:           To accept any offers on the self-build plots at Chaloners Road and Dane Avenue that are at or above the price set in an independent RICS valuation.
Decision Date:   15th March 2024
Type of Decision: Director									Non-Key	YES
Portfolio Area that decision relates to:
Leader (inc Corporate Services, Policy, Strategy & Partnerships)					Environment and Climate Emergency
Economy & Transport					Finance, Performance, Major Projects & Equalities
Children, Young People and Education					Children, Young People & Education
Health, Wellbeing and Adults Social Care					Housing, Planning & Safer Communities					X
Background / Decision Summary: 1. In October 2020 the Council Executive approved the use of existing resources to bring forward 8 small sites for disposal to individuals to design and build their own homes. Authority to accept offers was delegated to the Director of Place. 2. Chaloners Road and Dane Avenue are the first 2 of these 8 sites and comprise of a total of 5 self-build plots. The plots are currently on the market with offers received on 3 of 5 plots to date. 3.  The decision has been taken that all offers received at or above the price set in the independent RICS valuation will be accepted.
Options Considered: 1) To accept any offers at or above asking price from a financially qualified bidder who will be building a home they intend to live in on all 5 self-build plots when these are received. 2) Reject the current offers on the plots and continue to market the plots them to see whether a higher capital receipt could be obtained.
Options Rejected: Option 2 was rejected. While interest has been good in these plots there is no guarantee that higher offers would be received especially has the housing market is still uncertain.
Consultation Process: The design for the proposal for both sites was developed following community engagement with local residents and those on the council’s self-build register.
Implications: Finance: Capital receipt to the HRA One Planet Council (Climate Change)/ Equalities : The plots are being sold with a design code detailing stringent ecological credentials that the homes need to be built to. The credentials far outstrip current building regulations. Legal: The Council has power, pursuant to legislation, to dispose of property owned by it. When doing so, the Council has a general obligation to obtain the best price/consideration reasonably obtainable.  Draft sales contracts and deeds of transfer have been prepared. Additional resource will be required to progress the sales through the conveyancing process.
Crime & Disorder				Equalities				Highways
Human Resources				Legal			X	ICT
Financial				Affordability				Property		X
Climate Change			X	Health				Other
Environment				Human Rights
Implications Contact:  Patrick Looker
Level of Risk: Acceptable
Wards Affected:
All Wards		Fishergate				Holgate			Rural West York
Acomb	X	Fulford & Heslington				Hull Road			Strensall
Bishopthorpe		Guildhall				Huntington & New Earswick			Westfield
Clifton		Haxby & Wigginton				Micklegate			Wheldrake
Copmanthorpe		Heworth				Osbaldwick & Derwent
Dringhouses & Woodthorpe	X	Heworth Without				Rawcliffe & Clifton

Comments/Observations This decision will support the regeneration of 2 currently under used sites in existing communities. As the sites are currently HRA land the capital receipt will be retained within the HRA. Decision: This decision is to authorise the acceptance of offers that have currently been made on self-build plots plus any further offers that are at or above the independent RICS valuation.
Decision Made by: Neil Ferris Contact Details: Corporate Director of Place Tel No: 01904 551448 Email: Neil.Ferris@york.gov.uk
On behalf of: As above.
To be implemented by:	Sophie Round, Housing Delivery and Programme Manager
On Completion – Signed off by:   Neil Ferris   Corporate Director of Place		Date: 15.03.24