Archived decisions

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority Item 12

10 December 2008

Disposal of Winchester Fire Station and 60 North Walls, Winchester

Report of the Chief Officer

1

Introduction

1.1

At its meeting on 13 February 2008 the Authority resolved:

`That, subject to the Authority approving the corporate objective to

redevelop Winchester Fire Station on the former vehicle workshops site at Winnall, Winchester; that the current Winchester Fire Station site at North Walls, Winchester, be declared surplus to future requirements and that the Chief Officer be authorised to arrange for the marketing of the site in anticipation of the site being vacated'

The neighbouring property, 60 North Walls is also owned by the Authority and prospective purchasers were given the opportunity of purchasing it in order to enlarge the site.

1.2

At the same meeting, the Authority approved the corporate objective of Relocating Winchester Fire Station. A project appraisal for a scheme to develop a new fire station at Winnall is also on the Authority's agenda.

1.3

Building the new fire station is unlikely to start until September 2009 and it is envisaged that the completion of the sale of this property would take place on 1 April 2011 or earlier if agreed between the parties. The purchaser has to obtain planning consent too before redevelopment can start.

1.4

The property was marketed through Hampshire County Council's Estates Practice and offers invited by 6 June 2008. Eight compliant offers were received and a further one was received after the closing date. All the offers received were subject to receiving a satisfactory planning consent for redevelopment of the site. The highest offer was received from Renaissance Retirement Limited. Negotiations have been continuing with the company to establish that their proposals are likely to receive a planning consent and that the firm is capable of meeting its contractual obligations.

1.5

Renaissance are proposing to construct a Category II Sheltered Housing Scheme for the Elderly which is a Housing Association term for flats of between 35 and 65 square metres with a resident or non-resident warden linked to the scheme. 

2

Recommendation

2.1

That the offer submitted by Renaissance Retirement Limited for the freehold of Winchester Fire Station and 60 North Walls, Winchester be accepted on the basis that the completion of the sale shall not take place until 1 April 2011 or earlier by agreement between the parties.

3

People Impact Assessment

3.1

There are no specific issues arising from this report to bring to the attention of Members. The proposal is considered compatible with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights, the Human Rights Act 1998, and the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

4

Background Information (Section 100D of Local Government Act 1972)

4.1

There are no other documents that disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based or otherwise relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of the report.

4.2

The details of offers received - and the analysis of them - contains commercially confidential information and is therefore not being disclosed as part of this report. Members of the Asset Management Working Group have been made aware of the range of offers received.