Decision details

Purpose of Report: To update Members on work undertaken in establishing a programme of direct housing delivery on council owned land assets and seeking decisions to take the programme forward.

The Executive are asked to consider housing development opportunities and the appropriate method of delivery.

Resolved:  (i)      That the direct delivery of mixed tenure housing on the sites listed in paragraph 7 of the report (excluding Tang Hall Library) be approved in principle.

                   (ii)      That the appropriation of the Lowfield site from the General Fund into the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) be approved in principle, subject to final valuation, which is to be confirmed through the Capital Monitoring report.

                   (iii)     That a revised HRA business plan be brought to Executive, setting out  the funding mechanism to deliver all the other sites within the programme.

                   (iv)    That detailed design work be undertaken to develop and submit planning applications for the Askham Bar and Burnholme sites, to be funded from the HRA investment reserve at a cost of £700k.

                   (v)     That approval be given to procure construction partners for the Housing Delivery Fund and that authority for their appointment be delegated to the Corporate Director of Health, Housing & Adult Social Care, in consultation with the Executive Member for Housing & Safer Neighbourhoods.

                   (vi)    That it be noted that a detailed business case for each of the following sites will be brought back to the Executive:

a)   Burnholme

b)   Askham Bar former Park & Ride

c)   Former Clifton Without School

d)   Former Manor School

e)   Former Woolnough House Older Persons’ Home

f)    Hospital Fields Road and Ordnance Lane

(vii)    That a programme of support and marketing be developed to promote and ensure the successful delivery and uptake of market sale, self-build, rent to buy, shared ownership and downsizing schemes, funded from the HRA investment reserves.

(viii)   That opportunities for investment in additional affordable homes on private sector developments across the city be investigated, and proposals brought back to the Executive.

(ix)    That approval be given to dispose of the Tang Hall Library site on the open market.

Reason:     To progress with the building of much-needed new homes in York, increase the number of affordable homes in the city and meet the housing needs of a broader range of York residents.