Archived decisions

Decision Maker:

Executive Member for Policy and Resources

Date of Decision:

4 March 2009

Decision Title:

Former Beechdown Primary School Site, Basingstoke

Decision Reference:

571

Report From:

The Acting Director of Property, Business & Regulatory Services

(Summary of an Exempt Decision)

Contact name:

Stephen Harrison

Tel:

01962 846636

Email:

[email protected]

1) Summary

The following decisions are proposed:

1.1. That authority be given to the disposal of approximately 0.64ha of land at the site of the former Beechdown Primary School, Brighton Hill, Basingstoke, to Saxon Weald Housing Association, on the basis described in the supporting exempt report.

1.2. That the Acting Director of Property Business and Regulatory Services (Interim Head of Estates) be authorised to settle detailed terms and conditions.

2) Reasons for the decision

2.1. A total of 2.95ha of land at this former school site is surplus to County Council requirements and outline planning consent was granted in December 2008 for residential development, incorporating a proposed Extra Care Scheme on part of the site in substitution for the usual obligation to provide conventional general needs affordable housing.

2.2. The proposed use of the land maximises wellbeing by providing a suitable and accessible site for a 64-apartment Extra Care Affordable Housing Scheme, to enable older people to live as independently as possible in self-contained accommodation, with access to substantial on-site communal facilities, 24-hour care and support services.

2.3. The Extra Care Scheme will include and provide the County Council with new older persons day care facilities. This will replace the day centre currently operating within the recently closed Newman Bassett Older Persons Home, enabling the total vacation and release of the 0.81ha Newman Bassett site, upon opening of the new facilities in 2011.

3) Other options considered and rejected:

3.1. Not to proceed with the proposal but instead meet the normal affordable housing requirements for the residential redevelopment of the surplus school site by means of general needs affordable housing.

This option would still in effect entail making available an equivalent or perhaps larger area of land at nominal consideration to a Registered Social Landlord. It does not take advantage of the suitability of the site to provide extra care housing, or the opportunity to provide new day care facilities for older people.

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:

4 March 2009

Executive Member for Policy & Resources

Councillor T K Thornber