,-

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member, Policy & Resources Item

13 March 2002

Chandlers Ford Infant School Annex, Kingsway, Chandlers Ford -

Disposal

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

1

Summary

1.1

The following decisions are sought:

i)

That the site of Chandlers Ford Infant School Annex in Kingsway, Chandlers Ford be declared surplus to County Council requirements and disposed of by private treaty sale to the Hampshire Association for the Care of the Blind; and

ii)

that the Director of Property Business & Regulatory Services (Head of Estates Practice) be given authority to settle detailed terms.

2

Reasons

2.1

The Infant School Annex will become surplus to education needs following completion of a capital project on the main Infant School site, and as a result of falling pupil numbers. The site meets the needs of the Hampshire Association for the Care of the Blind, which currently occupies unsuitable premises in Bishopstoke and now requires an alternative site for a new Centre that will provide office and drop-in facilities.

3

Other options considered and rejected

3.1

The site appears suitable for residential development, but a sale to the Hampshire Association for the Care of the Blind will meet the key aims of the Council, and the Association is able to acquire at open market value and so the County Council's financial interests will not be prejudiced by this private treaty sale.

4

Conflicts of interest declared by the decision-maker or a member or officer consulted

4.1

Not applicable

5

Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

5.1

Not applicable

6

Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

6.1

Not applicable

Approved by:

..........................

Date of decision:

.........................

Councillor T K Thornber

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member, Policy & Resources Item

13 March 2002

Chandlers Ford Infant School Annex, Kingsway, Chandlers Ford -

Disposal

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

1

Summary

1.1

That the site of Chandlers Ford Infant School Annex in Kings Way, Chandlers Ford be declared surplus to County Council requirements and disposed of by private treaty sale to the Hampshire Association for the Care of the Blind.

2

Background

2.1

A rationalisation of accommodation on the main Chandlers Ford Infant School site, including the provision of a new hall, kitchen, administration suite and music/drama room will release the existing accommodation on the annex site. This comprises a double temporary classroom and an area of hard play court. At its meeting on 9 July 2001, the Asset Management Sub-Committee approved a recommendation that the Education Committee should be permitted to retain 100% of the capital receipt arising from the sale of the annex site as an in/out arrangement under the Local Authority Capital Finance Regulations. This capital receipt was intended to be used as a contribution towards the Infant School rationalisation scheme.

2.2

At about the same time, the Hampshire Association for the Care of the Blind approached the County Council, explaining that the Charity had outgrown its headquarters in Bishopstoke, had been actively looking for a replacement site for a new building for over five years, but had been unsuccessful in its search. The Charity requires a site close to Eastleigh accessible by public transport, and with car parking for elderly visitors, and is prepared to pay open market value for any replacement land or premises.

2.3

The Charity intends to provide purpose-built accommodation for its own administrative functions, but also requires drop-in and training facilities. It needs a `safe' location, and has discounted sites within normal office/industrial environments because of the particular needs of its users. Many of the people who visit the Charity are elderly and often infirm, and a suitable site in a residential environment but close to main public transport routes is therefore the ideal solution. The Charity`s existing premises in Church Road, Bishopstoke will eventually be sold to part fund the new accommodation.

3

The Chandlers Ford Infant School Annex Site

3.1

The site of the existing annex comprises approximately 0.13 ha (0.33 acres) and is located just off Winchester Road, Chandlers Ford. The Hampshire Association for the Care of the Blind regards it as ideal. It is capable of accommodating a building of approximately 5,000 square feet, which would meet the Charity's requirements. The site is located in a predominately residential area, but there are other uses including the Infant School and a church/church hall, and it backs onto a Masonic Centre.

3.2

No other County Council requirement has been identified for this site, and but for the interest of the Charity, the Council would seek planning consent for residential development. It appears suitable for a development of three houses or bungalows and, dependent on the type of development permitted, has a value of in the region of £250,000. The County Council may wish to seek planning consent for residential development in order to establish the open market value, but the Charity itself will seek planning consent for its own proposed use. The existing temporary buildings will require demolition.

3.3

The work of the Hampshire Association for the Care of the Blind complements the care services offered both by the County Council and by the Health Services, and a private treaty sale of the site will contribute towards the County Council's strategic aims of developing the quality of life in Hampshire through health improvements, and of partnership for strong communities through improved relationships with the voluntary sector.

3.4

As part of the site comprises a play court, any disposal will require the consent of the Secretary of State for Education, as technically this amounts to a sale of school "playing field".

Recommendations

That:

1

the site of Chandlers Ford Infant School Annex be declared surplus to County Council requirements and offered to the Hampshire Association for the Care of the Blind by private treaty sale; and

2

the Director of Property Business & Regulatory Services (Head of Estates Practice) be given authority to submit a planning application, secure disposal consent under the School Standards and Framework Act and to settle detailed terms of a disposal to the Hampshire Association for the Care of the Blind.