Issue - meetings

The Interim Director of Place to present a report which outlines the business cases for the development of new high quality homes and public open space at Burnholme and Duncombe Barracks, using the ‘Building Better Places’ design manual as the project brief, and a proposal to facilitate the delivery of further new homes through the disposal of 8 small HRA sites to self-builders.

Resolved:  (i)      That approval be given to use existing project management resources to procure a construction contractor and related support services (in compliance with all relevant procurement legislation) for the residential development, associated infrastructure and public space works at the Duncombe Barracks and Burnholme sites, in accordance with any future planning permission granted for the development of those sites, and that authority be delegated to the Interim Director of Place, in consultation with the Director of Goverance, to take such steps as are necessary to award and enter into the resulting contract.

                   (ii)      That the allocation of £32.1m from the Housing Delivery Programme capital budget to deliver the projects referred to in (i) above be approved.

                   (iii)     That approval be given to dispose of 8 small sites (as set out in Table 7 in the report) for the purpose of self-build housing, supporting the council’s ambition to enable residents to provide their own housing solutions.

                   (iv)    That approval be given to use existing resources in the Housing Delivery Programme capital budget to support any professional advice and minor works needed to enable the sale of these self-build sites, with plots to be marketed based on an independent valuation and authority delegated to the Interim Director of Place to accept the best offer.

Reason:     To progress with the construction, rental and sale of much-needed homes in York, set within healthy and sustainable neighbourhoods.

The Interim Director of Placepresented a report which outlined the business cases for the development of new high quality homes and public open space at Burnholme and Duncombe Barracks, and a proposal to facilitate the delivery of further new homes through the disposal of 8 small sites to self-builders.

The report set out the milestones achieved since 29 September 2019, when Executive had approved the ‘Building Better Places’ design manual and the ‘Shape Homes York’ brand (minute 44 of that meeting refers).  The plans for Duncombe Barracks, detailed in paragraphs 16-21, included 34 homes, 1 commercial unit and 2 new areas of public space.  Those for Burnholme, in paragraphs 22-26, included 85 homes (5 of which to be self-built), 2 new areas of public space and improvements to a 3^rd public space.  The 8 sites proposed for a further 14 self-build plots were vacant or under-used HRA land assets in various wards, as explained in paragraphs 29-30. 

Paragraphs 31-33 provided an overall financial summary of the proposals, which would require initial investment of an extra £1.29m to meet increased standards in terms of space, zero carbon and ‘future-proofing’.  As well as quality homes for residents, this would deliver savings in the long term. Opportunities for grant funding would also be sought.  Disposal of the small sites to self-builders was expected to deliver £1m additional receipts.

In endorsing the proposals, the Executive Member for Housing & Safer Communities responded to matters raised under Public Participation, stating that the programme would deliver quality homes in strong communities, with twice the nationally required percentage of affordable housing.

Resolved:  (i)      That approval be given to use existing project management resources to procure a construction contractor and related support services (in compliance with all relevant procurement legislation) for the residential development, associated infrastructure and public space works at the Duncombe Barracks and Burnholme sites, in accordance with any future planning permission granted for the development of those sites, and that authority be delegated to the Interim Director of Place, in consultation with the Director of Goverance, to take such steps as are necessary to award and enter into the resulting contract.

                   (ii)      That the allocation of £32.1m from the Housing Delivery Programme capital budget to deliver the projects referred to in (i) above be approved.

                   (iii)     That approval be given to dispose of 8 small sites (as set out in Table 7 in the report) for the purpose of self-build housing, supporting the council’s ambition to enable residents to provide their own housing solutions.

                   (iv)    That approval be given to use existing resources in the Housing Delivery Programme capital budget to support any professional advice and minor works needed to enable the sale of these self-build sites, with plots to be marketed based on an independent valuation and authority delegated to the Interim Director of Place to accept the best offer.

Reason:     To progress with the construction, rental and sale of much-needed homes in York, set within healthy and sustainable neighbourhoods.