Hampshire County Council Amended Decision Sheet

Executive Member, Policy & Resources Item

9 June 2005

Bar End Developments, Winchester -

Proposed Disposal to Emmaus Hampshire Ltd.

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

(Summary of CONFIDENTIAL decision)

1

Summary

1.1

The following decisions are sought:

1) the granting of a 125 year Building Lease of approximately 0.37 ha (0.88 acres) of surplus County Council land at Bar End to Emmaus Hampshire Ltd at a nominal rent to enable an Emmaus Community to be developed, subject to:

i) the Charity confirming its ability to fund all costs directly associated with the development of an Emmaus Centre, and contributing £180,000 as a fair and reasonable proportion of the County Council's costs of bringing forward the overall site for comprehensive development;

ii) the Emmaus Centre scheme incorporating the County Council's approved Development Framework principles as a fundamental part of the project; and

iii) Emmaus Hampshire Ltd securing planning consent in respect of the proposed development

2) to rescind the earlier approval in principle to the disposal of this land to the Winchester Eco Centre charity following their withdrawal from negotiations

3) all detailed terms and conditions in respect of the proposed disposal to be settled by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Head of Estates Practice).

4) that Emmaus be advised that they should demonstrate diligent progress in securing the necessary planning permissions within the next 12 months, adequate financial provision within 24 months, and that a report be brought back to the Buildings, Land and Procurement Panel on progress at both stages

2

Reasons

2.1

Reviewing the earlier decision will maintain the County Council's commitment to facilitating a voluntary sector-managed materials recycling project on similar terms as previously approved.

2.2

This decision supports the following Aims of the Corporate Strategy

Aim 1 - Maximising life opportunities by enabling the voluntary sector to develop an Emmaus Centre providing residential and workplace facilities for vulnerable persons in Winchester.

Aim 2 - Stewardship of the environment by facilitating the development of workshops catering for the recycling of materials, particularly furniture and electronic equipment, complementing the operation of the new Household Waste Recycling Centre on the adjoining site. The recycling activity will help meet sustainability targets contained within the County Council's Natural Resource Initiatives and waste management policies.

Aim 4 - Building strong and safe communities by enabling the voluntary sector to develop an Emmaus Centre providing residential and workplace facilities for vulnerable persons in Winchester.

3

Other options considered and rejected

3.1

Withdrawing the offer to make the land at Bar End available to the voluntary sector for such a development would have denied scope to secure complementary recycling activity on the site and opportunities for the Charity to provide residential accommodation for homeless persons.

4

Conflicts of interest declared by the decision-maker or other Executive Member 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