Hampshire County Council

Executive Member, Policy & Resources Item

10 April 2003

146-148 Shirley Road, Southampton - Disposal

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

1

Summary

That 146-148 Shirley Road, Southampton be declared surplus to requirements and offered for sale on the open market, and that the Director of Property Business & Regulatory Services (Head of Estates Practice) be authorised to settle detailed terms and conditions.

2

Reasons

2.1

This property is surplus to requirements and should be sold to produce a capital receipt.

3

Other options considered and rejected

3.1

Retention of property - no uses have been identified.

4

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

4.1

None

5

Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

5.1

None

6

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

6.1

Not applicable

Approved by:

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Date of decision:

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Councillor T K Thornber

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member, Policy & Resources Item

10 April 2003

146-148 Shirley Road, Southampton - Disposal

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

1

Introduction

1.1

This reports seeks authority to the disposal on the open market of the surplus property 146-148 Shirley Road, Southampton.

2

The Proposal

2.1

146-148 Shirley Road, Southampton is owned by the County Council but has been used by the Nuffield Theatre for the past 10 years, since it took responsibility for running the Theatre in Education (TIE) Service for Hampshire and Southampton. As the Service is mainly focused on Hampshire, the premises remained with Hampshire County Council on reorganisation of Local Government, notwithstanding it is located in Southampton.

2.2

The property was originally two residential properties which were substantially altered to provide a rehearsal, office and storage facility for theatrical use. However, in recent times the restrictive accommodation has proved to be insufficient for the activities of the Nuffield Theatre Education Company. It has, therefore, relocated to more suitable business premises nearby.

2.3

The premises were declared surplus to Recreation and Heritage operational requirements by the Executive Member (Recreation and Heritage) on 12 February 2003.

3

Disposal Arrangements

3.1

Several unsolicited offers and enquiries have been received for residential conversion and office uses, including a locally based Charity. It is proposed that the property should be offered on the open market to establish its full potential and enable consideration to be given to the various uses proposed and the level of offers received. Because of the nature of the present use, planning consent will almost certainly be needed for any change of use.

Recommendation

That 146-148 Shirley Road, Southampton be declared surplus to requirements and offered for sale on the open market, and that the Director of Property Business & Regulatory Services (Head of Estates Practice) be authorised to settle detailed terms and conditions.