Issue - meetings

The Executive Member is asked to consider a report that identifies an opportunity to utilise an area of largely unused land between Sturdee Grove and Fossway to support new affordable housing delivery.

Resolved:

i.             That the disposal of the land between Fossway and Sturdee Grove for a sum of £50,000 to Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT) for the development of affordable housing, be approved. The disposal be subject to JRHT obtaining planning permission, finalising legal terms (including incorporating agreed environmental standards as an obligation) and delivering a new boundary fence and communal space to the rear of the council flats on Fossway.

ii.            That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of Place to agree the final terms of the legal agreement.

Reason:  To make better use of our assets and support the delivery of much needed new affordable housing in York. 

The Executive Member considered a report that identified an opportunity to utilise an area of largely unused council land between Sturdee Grove and Fossway to support new affordable housing delivery.

The Interim Assistant Director of Housing and Community Safety and the Director of Economy, Regeneration and Housing were in attendance to provide an update and answer any questions.

The Interim Assistant Director highlighted the background to the report and confirmed that Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT) had offered £50,000 for the council land, subject to securing planning permission and the finalisation of legal terms.

The Executive Member noted that the council land, combined with the land owned by JRHT, would facilitate the development of around eight new homes, five of which would be for social rent and three for shared ownership. A new boundary fence and communal space to the rear would also be retained for the residents of the flats at 21-51 Fossway.

The Interim Assistant Director confirmed he had sought greater clarity from JRHT regarding the environmental standards they were aiming to achieve for the new homes and that following those conversations and advice received from the Council’s legal department, it was proposed that recommendation i), as noted in the report, be amended to capture these standards in the sale agreement.

The Executive Member welcomed the report and the sustainability measures achieved to make the homes more affordable to reside in. She thanked the officer for his update and agreed the amendment to recommendation i).

Resolved:

i)             That the disposal of the land between Fossway and Sturdee Grove for a sum of £50,000 to Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT) for the development of affordable housing, be approved. The disposal be subject to JRHT obtaining planning permission, finalising legal terms (including incorporating agreed environmental standards as an obligation) and delivering a new boundary fence and communal space to the rear of the council flats on Fossway.

ii)            That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of Place to agree the final terms of the legal agreement.

Reason:  To make better use of our assets and support the delivery of much needed new affordable housing in York.