Issue - meetings

This item was chaired by Councillor Todd-Jones.

 

Matter for Decision

 

To consider the details of the proposed new development of Anstey Way.

 

Decision of the Executive Councillor for Housing:

 

i.             Noted the indicative mix of the proposed scheme.

ii.            Approved the scheme capital budget of £6,166,892 detailed in the report to cover the construction cost of the scheme and professional fees and other costs.

iii.           Approved that delegated authority be given to the Director of Customer and Community Services following consultation with the Head of Legal Services to seal a contract with the chosen contractor following procurement in accordance with Council regulations.

 

Scrutiny Considerations

 

The Committee received a report from the Head of Strategic Housing. The report provided details of the proposed redevelopment of Anstey Way bungalows and flats to provide 34 new homes (subject to planning).  The scheme currently consisted of 23 rented properties and 5 leasehold flats.  The scheme also included an underutilised amenity area to the rear of the flat block.

 

The existing scheme was made up of a block of flats consisting of 9 x 3 bedroom units and 3 x bedsit / studios and 16 x one bedroom one person bungalows.

 

The new scheme proposed a block of 12 apartments for the over 55s and a mix of 22 houses for general needs.

 

The report requested approval to a capital budget for the scheme based on the outlined appraisal assuming the mix stated above.

 

In response to questions from the Committee, the Head of Strategic Housing stated the following:

 

i.             If the development proceeded the Council would work with the existing individual leaseholders to find alternative accommodation within current housing policies.

ii.            The Council’s Supplementary Planning Document which had been produced as part of the Local Plan, showed that the City’s population was not ageing as quickly as other parts of Cambridgeshire.  When new housing was provided, the Council needed to get the balance right and consider what could be provided through the existing stock.   

iii.           The older population tended to be housed much quicker than others however the type of property which was in the highest demand was 2 bed properties, which the City Council had a lack of.  In the future the housing profile may change and this was something which would need to be looked at.

iv.          The Code for Sustainable Homes was in the process of being scrapped by the Government, therefore the build specification for housing was up to Officers to determine.

v.           If the development was taken forward resident neighbours would be consulted through the planning application process.

vi.          The appraisal for the funding of the development assumes that certain funding schemes were utilised but it was anticipated that the development would be funded through 50% reserves and 50% borrowing.

 

The Committee:

 

Resolved unanimously to note and approve the recommendations.

 

The Executive Councillor for Housing approved the recommendations.

 

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

 

No conflicts were declared by the Executive Councillor.