Agenda item

This report seeks Executive approval for the leasehold sale of three Housing Revenue Account (HRA) owned sites to housing associations, for the building of approximately twenty new affordable homes for rent.

RESOLVED: (i)         That Option 1 be approved, and the long leasehold sale of all or some of the three sites to housing associations be supported, on the basis outlined in the report and subject to:

a)     Satisfactory planning permissions being obtained for development of the sites as affordable housing.

b)     An alternative playground, plus dedicated public open space being provided to serve the Chapelfields community.

c)      Officers giving consideration, in developing the proposals further, to the requests of the Shadow Executive, that is:

·        that there should be a more comprehensive redevelopment scheme for the wider area in relation to Morritt Close, “as there are two other derelict sites that could be used for affordable housing” (and possibly incorporating improvements to the 68 Club);

·        provision of a communal garden area for the use of existing Morritt Close area residents;

·        designing the scheme to avoid potential overlooking problems in relation to the Dane Avenue proposals.

REASONS:    a)         To increase the stock of affordable family housing in York, to which the Council will have nomination rights, thus helping to meet the housing needs of York residents who are unable to access the private housing market;

                        b)         To respond to the concerns of the Shadow Executive and Ward Members in respect of the proposed developments, and to ensure that a co-ordinated area approach is taken to the developments.

(ii)That approval of the precise boundaries, and the net capital receipt received for the sites, be delegated to the Head of Housing Services and the Corporate Landlord.

REASON:      To avoid unnecessary delay in progressing the sale.

(iii)That the method of calculating discretionary payments to tenants for the loss of use of part of their gardens, as detailed in paragraph 17 of the report, be approved as policy.

REASON:      This will provide a consistent basis for the calculation of such sums should any similar circumstances arise in the future.

Note:   Cllrs Sue Galloway, Macdonald and Reid left the room during consideration of the above item and took no part in the discussions or decisions thereon.

Members considered a report which sought approval for the leasehold sale of three Housing Revenue Account (HRA) owned sites to housing associations, for the building of new affordable homes for rent.  The sites in question were located in Dane Avenue, Chapelfields Road (the former Chapelfields Play Area) and Morritt Close.

The report outlined three options for Members’ consideration:

Option 1 – to support the long leasehold sale of all or some of the sites, subject to satisfactory planning permissions being obtained.  This was the recommended option, on the basis that it would contribute towards meeting the Council’s affordable homes target, help address a shortage of family homes, enable access to an estimated £1.25m of government subsidy and provide opportunities to increase security at two of the sites.

Option 2 – not to support development of the sites.

Option 3 – to sell the freehold of the three sites for private housing development at the best price achievable via an informal tender procedure.

A full analysis of the options was set out in paragraphs 42 to 46 of the report.  On balance, Option 1 was considered to achieve the best outcome in respect of the Council’s financial, affordable housing and corporate priorities.

Members commented on the increasing difficulty in finding Council owned land for housing development.  They also noted the concerns expressed about a lack of children’s play facilities in the Chapelfields area and the need to establish an alternative playground within the Westfield school boundary.

RESOLVED: (i)         That Option 1 be approved, and the long leasehold sale of all or some of the three sites to housing associations be supported, on the basis outlined in the report and subject to:

a)     Satisfactory planning permissions being obtained for development of the sites as affordable housing.

b)     An alternative playground, plus dedicated public open space being provided to serve the Chapelfields community.

c)      Officers giving consideration, in developing the proposals further, to the requests of the Shadow Executive, that is:

·        that there should be a more comprehensive redevelopment scheme for the wider area in relation to Morritt Close, “as there are two other derelict sites that could be used for affordable housing” (and possibly incorporating improvements to the 68 Club);

·        provision of a communal garden area for the use of existing Morritt Close area residents;

·        designing the scheme to avoid potential overlooking problems in relation to the Dane Avenue proposals.

REASONS:    a)         To increase the stock of affordable family housing in York, to which the Council will have nomination rights, thus helping to meet the housing needs of York residents who are unable to access the private housing market;

                        b)         To respond to the concerns of the Shadow Executive and Ward Members in respect of the proposed developments, and to ensure that a co-ordinated area approach is taken to the developments.

(ii)That approval of the precise boundaries, and the net capital receipt received for the sites, be delegated to the Head of Housing Services and the Corporate Landlord.

REASON:      To avoid unnecessary delay in progressing the sale.

(iii)That the method of calculating discretionary payments to tenants for the loss of use of part of their gardens, as detailed in paragraph 17 of the report, be approved as policy.

REASON:      This will provide a consistent basis for the calculation of such sums should any similar circumstances arise in the future.

Note:   Cllrs Sue Galloway, Macdonald and Reid left the room during consideration of the above item and took no part in the discussions or decisions thereon.