Archived decisions

Decision Maker:

The Executive Member for Policy and Resources

Date of Decision:

29 January 2009

Decision Title:

Merton Rise Update (Amended)

Decision Reference:

518

Report From:

The Acting Director of Property, Business & Regulatory Services

(Summary of an Exempt Decision)

Contact name:

Louise Hague

Tel:

01962 846578

Email:

[email protected]

1) Summary

The following decisions are proposed:

1.1. That authority be given to reject the remaining current financial offers for land disposals at Merton Rise, as they are unlikely to be sustained and also reflect the very poor market and values for residential development land, and the current economic uncertainties

1.2. That authority be given to proceed with the revised Planning and Disposal strategy as set out in the report to be able to take advantage of a future property market recovery at the earliest opportunity, including securing a suitable Outline Planning Consent and/or associated Supplementary Planning Document

1.3. That authority be given to approve a revised expenditure profile of the approved Merton Rise Infrastructure Budget as set out in the report in order to support an updated Procurement Strategy that will ensure appropriate interim site management and cover the costs of obtaining additional planning approvals.

1.4. That provision be included in the proposed Policy and Resources Capital programme to increase the infrastructure budget by £1.037m to reflect the revised treatment of Section 106 contributions payable to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

2) Reasons for the decision

2.1. The recently adopted Basingstoke and Deane Supplementary Planning Documents have effectively rendered the current offers unachievable, but if any can be realised it is unlikely to be at a value which would reflect good long term asset management

2.2. The existing planning consent expires in June 2009 and it is essential to safeguard the principle of development, and hence the value of the asset. This can be achieved by means of a new outline consent and/ or SPD which will give the opportunity to redesign/re-plan to take advantage of a return of stability to the housing market.

2.3. These proposals link to the Corporate Strategy through enhancing quality of space, maximising well being and making Hampshire safer and more secure.

3) Other options considered and rejected:

3.1. Option 1: Progress existing offers

The recently adopted SPD, expiry of existing planning approval in June 2009, and the falling property market means the bids are unlikely to proceed and the County Council is vulnerable to further price reductions if any were prepared to progress and may not reflect good asset management in the long-term

3.2. Option 2: County Council to submit Reserved Matters Application

Although this would protect the principle of development it would prove costly to secure and the resultant approval may not be a scheme that developers would wish to build.

4) Conflicts of Interest:

4.1. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision-maker:

None

4.2. Conflicts of interest declared by other Executive Members consulted:

None

5) Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee:

None

6) Any reasons for the matter being dealt with if urgent :

None

7) Statement from the Decision Maker:

Approved by:

___________________________________

Date:

29 January 2009

Executive Member for Policy & Resources

Councillor T K Thornber