Decision details

To approve a capital budget to develop a new build housing scheme to planning submission stage. The scheme is based on the Orchard Park site recently acquired by CCC. The scheme includes Council rented units available for purchase by HRA.

Matter for Decision

The report sought approval for a capital budget to purchase 30 affordable units from Cambridge Investment Partnership (CIP), to be let as Council rented homes. The report also set out the general fund investment and potential returns on this investment and the key elements of the CIP development proposal including a summary of the investment plan

Decision of Executive Councillor for Housing

i.               Approved the purchase of 30 new Council homes on the site at the cost of £5,850,000 and include an overall budget in the HRA for the scheme Orchard Park L2 of £6,207,000.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Housing and the Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources

i.               Approved the indicative proposed investment plan for L2 outlined in confidential Appendix 3, with the high-level commitments associated with the General Fund and HRA. The investment plan will be refined in line with final project plans post planning permission determined and approved by the CIP Board with the Councils funding built into the relevant budget setting report.

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.

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

      i.         Asked that sufficient space was provided for cargo bike parking and also to ensure there were car club spaces. Also questioned biodiversity provision on the site.

    ii.         Questioned the housing mix which included 5 x 1 bed studio flats.

   iii.         Asked if people with a Cambridge connection would be able to live in the properties.

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

      i.         The bike stores were designed with some provision for cargo bikes but she would need to check exactly how many spaces were provided.  Biodiversity had been considered and they were looking to have sedum (green) roofs and to improve the biodiversity provision of the open space. Two car club spaces were included but if there was a higher demand then more could be put in.

    ii.         There weren’t any studio flats in the current programme but after consultation with the Head of Housing it was agreed that some 1 bed studio flats might be appropriate here.

   iii.         As the development was within the South Cambridgeshire District Council boundary there would need to be an agreement with them about nomination rights to the houses.

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

The Executive Councillor for Housing approved the recommendation 2.1.

The Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources approved the recommendation 2.2.

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

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.