Decision details

To approve new build housing (estate regeneration) scheme at Colville Road. This is the third scheme in this area and is adjacent to the previous two.

The scheme requires a capital budget to progress up to planning application stage and approval to commence consultation with tenants, leaseholders and commercial tenants.

Matter for Decision

The report seeks approval of a capital budget for the scheme, based on the indicative capacity study which has been undertaken for the site and the outline appraisals referenced in this report, and for the delivery route to be adopted

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Housing

i.               Approved that the scheme be brought forward with an indicative capital budget of £11,103,200 to cover all site assembly, construction costs, professional fees and further associated fees, to deliver a scheme which meets the identified housing need in Cambridge City.

ii.             Authorised the Strategic Director in consultation with the Executive Councillor for housing to approve variations to the scheme including the number of units and mix of property types and sizes outlined in this report.

iii.            Approved that, subject to Council approval of the budget,  delegated authority be given to the Executive Cllr for Housing in conjunction with the Strategic Director to enable the site to be developed through Cambridge Investment Partnership (CIP) subject to a value for money assessment to be carried out on behalf of the Council.

iv.           Delegated authority to the Strategic Director to commence Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) proceedings on Leasehold properties to be demolished to enable the development, should these be required.

v.             Delegated authority to the Strategic Director to serve initial Demolition Notices under the Housing Act 1985.

vi.           Approved a delegation to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Strategy and Resources and the Executive Councillor for Housing, to approve the most appropriate valuation basis, funding route and accounting treatment for the value of the commercial units being provided as part of the development of Colville 3.

 

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

 

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

 

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Head of Housing Development Agency.

 

Cherry Hinton Ward Councillor Dryden commented:

i.               Supported the scheme and asked for a meeting to be held with residents, particularly those whose homes were set to be demolished if the recommendations were approved. Noted that officers had held meetings with some of the businesses.

 

Cherry Hinton Ward Councillor Ashton commented:

i.               Thanked officers for their work on the project. Was pleased that the development was solely for council housing and was not going to be sold off for private development.  Expressed concerns on behalf of existing tenants about where they would be moved to during the construction phase.

ii.             Shops were used in Cherry Hinton, there were no vacant shop units on the High Street. Residents had expressed their concerns about what would happen to them and he noted there were opportunities for the shops to be relocated within Cherry Hinton. Asked for consideration to be given to locating temporary portacabins on open space to keep local businesses in Cherry Hinton.

 

The Committee made the following comments in response to the report:

      i.         Referred to page 290 of the agenda and noted that the council was still not aiming for net zero carbon development.

 

The Head of Housing Development Agency said the following in response to Members’ questions:

      i.         Subject to the decision of the committee and Executive Councillor, meetings could be arranged with residents and consideration would be given to the most appropriate way to re-house residents affected by the development.

    ii.         Officers had been working with colleagues in Property Services and consideration would be given to temporary facilities for businesses to use.

 

The Committee resolved by 5 votes to 0 to endorse the recommendations.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.