Hampshire County Council AMENDED DECISION SHEET

Executive Member for Policy and Resources Item 3

4 June 2007

Land adjoining St Agatha's Church, Portsmouth

Report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

(Summary of an EXEMPT decision)

1

Summary

1.1

The following decision is sought:

That after careful consideration the objection lodged by the Portsmouth Society in relation to the proposed sale of land adjoining St Agatha's Church, Portsmouth the objection should not be upheld and that the County Council should therefore proceed with the disposal as approved in principle by the Executive Member for Policy and Resources on 1 March 2007.

2

Reason

2.1

This proposal links to the corporate strategy in terms of Enhancing the Quality of Place even though the County Council's retained property is within Portsmouth City Council's administrative boundaries.

2.2

Proceeding with the disposal by agreement, but under the threat of compulsory purchase powers being confirmed by the Secretary of State, will still;

· enable the County Council to advocate an approach to the detailed design aimed at protecting and enhancing the amenity and setting of the church

· will assist in securing a capital receipt whilst also protecting the amenity and setting of the Church and will assist in bringing about the redevelopment of the Portsmouth, Northern Quarter scheme for which planning consent has been granted and

· secure a negotiated capital receipt

3

Other options considered and rejected

3.1

Upholding the objection to the proposed sale and declining to proceed with the sale of the land to the development partnership which was made in writing and through a deputation to the decision day on behalf of The Portsmouth Society. This option is rejected on the grounds that the reasons for the objection have already been considered and dismissed by the local planning authority and any decision not to proceed with the sale by agreement could prejudice the County Council's ability to positively influence the detailed design of the buildings, streetscape and landscape of those parts of the Northern Quarter scheme which will effect the setting of St Agatha's Church and its relationship to the proposed adjoining development to the east as well as its claims for compensation. If the Compulsory Purchase Order effecting other land is confirmed the sale of the County Council's land will proceed and the County Council will be able to consult with The Portsmouth Society and other interested parties with a view to making representations intended to enhance the design of the scheme in the vicinity of St Agatha's Church in advance of the submission of a detailed planning application for the Northern Quarter scheme.

4

Conflicts of interest declared by the decision-maker or other Executive Member consulted - None

5

Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - None

6

Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent - None