Issue - meetings

This item was chaired by Councillor Thittala Varkey.

Matter for Decision

The report sought approval to proceed with the redevelopment of the former East Road garage site to provide circa 40 new highly sustainable homes. These new homes would be developed in parallel with the delivery of associated improvements to the adjacent housing estate.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Housing

i.               Approved that the 100% affordable housing scheme (option A) be brought forward and be included in the Housing Capital Programme, with an indicative capital budget of £10,964,000. Budget will be drawn down from the sum already ear-marked and approved for investment in new homes.

ii.             Authorised the Strategic Director in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Housing to approve variations to the scheme including the affordable rent levels, number of units and mix of property types, sizes and tenure as outlined in this report.

iii.            Authorised the Strategic Director in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Housing to adopt option B; to deliver 40% affordable housing (16 homes), with rents set at 60% of Market rent or Current Local Housing Allowance, whichever is lowest, should this be necessary to ensure continued financial viability.

iv.           Approved delegation to the Head of Finance, as Section 151 Officer, to agree the terms in relation to the sale of land, should option B be adopted and market sale units be delivered upon which a capital receipt to the council would be due.

v.             Approved that delegated authority be given to the Executive Councillor 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.

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 the Housing Development Agency.

The Head of the Housing Development Agency and Director of Enterprise and Sustainable Development said the following in response to the Committee’s questions:

      i.         Concerns raised by resident’s regarding the height, density and massing of the site would be looked at as part of the planning application process. Officers would engage with residents as part of this process.

    ii.         Noted concerns raised about the style of questions asked during the public consultation. The questions asked were high level questions as it was not a consultation on a detailed scheme at that time. 

   iii.         It was an ambition for the proposed development to provide 20% biodiversity net gain within the site, further information could be provided outside of the meeting.

Councillor Robertson requested for it to be minuted that although he supported the recommendation, he may need to support local residents if plans remained unchanged and there was strong feeling from local residents against it.

Councillors Porrer, Gawthrope Wood and Howard advised that they were also members of the Planning Committee and wanted to note that by supporting the recommendations they were not fettering their discretion should a scheme be brought to a future Planning Committee.

The Committee unanimously resolved 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.