Issue - meetings
Land at Elms Gardens
Meeting: 15/11/2010 - Executive (Item 6)
This report seeks authority to dispose of a former allotment site for residential development to support the redevelopment of the Barham Park Estate and to the consequent creation of a new replacement allotment site. This report acknowledges a petition received from residents living near the site, which raises a number of concerns and which objects to the sale of land for housing. This report addresses those concerns.
Decision:
(i) that agreement be given to the disposal of the freehold interest of land at Elms Gardens, Sudbury to Notting Hill Housing Trust (NHHT) as development land to initially provide decant accommodation for Barham Park Estate residents;
(ii) that agreement be given to the creation of a new replacement allotment site at Gladstone Park, Dollis Hill subject to the appropriate legal procedures as set out in the body of this report being properly undertaken;
(iii) that the Director of Children and Families be authorised to commence and comply with the procedure as set out in section 122(2A) of the Local Government Act 1972 to agree that the education land used as open space at Gladstone Park is no longer required for the purpose for which it is currently held and to appropriate the land for statutory allotment purposes. In addition to this, to consider any objections made to the appropriation, and unless there are objections received which in his opinion are significant, to implement the appropriation. If such objections are received then a further report will be brought back to the Executive for consideration;
(iv) that officers be instructed to ensure that the development adequately addresses the concern of local residents and that further meetings are held with the residents’ group in order to consult on any development proposals;
(v) thatit be noted that the purchase price payable by NHHT will be dependent upon the level of grant available and may not match best value if the site were disposed in the open market. If this proves to be the case the Executive is able to utilise the “Well-Being” Powers under the General Consent (England) 2003 to dispose of the land at less than best consideration in return for more affordable housing;
(vi) that, in any event, as the Secretary of State consent given in relation to the disposal and further mentioned paragraph 3.3 of the Directors’ report is based on the sale price not being lower than current valuation, if the disposal is less than best consideration then the consent of the Secretary of State will be required and that the final decision on the disposal price be delegated to the Directors of Regeneration and Major Projects and Housing and Community Care;
(vii) that, in the event that the disposal to NHHT for the specific purpose of assisting with the redevelopment of Barham Park Estate does not proceed, that the site be disposed on the open market, subject to the same requirement for consultation with local residents and the development of an alternative scheme which addresses the concerns of local residents.
Minutes:
The Executive had before them a report from the Directors of Regeneration and Major Projects and of Housing and Community Care which sought authority to dispose of the former allotment site adjacent to 19 Elms Gardens, Sudbury for residential development to support the redevelopment of the Barham Park estate and the consequent creation of a new replacement allotment site at Gladstone Park Gardens.
Councillor Lorber (ward councillor) addressed the Executive in support of local residents who were against the proposals. Referring to the case that had been put earlier in the meeting, Councillor Lorber recognised that the council had to balance priorities but now that the community were making a claim for the retention of the allotment site he felt that the Administration should reverse the original decision to develop the site, as it had done on a similar occasion. Councillor Lorber suggested the need for a coherent policy on how to deal with land in residential areas which residents feel should be used for other purposes. He felt that the situation should now be reviewed in the light of developments in other parts of the borough and questioned the recommendation to dispose of the site whether or not the proposed disposal to a housing association proceeded. Councillor Lorber put that the area was lacking in public open space and that available money was being spent on an educational site in another part of the borough that would not benefit Sudbury residents. Councillor Lorber asked the Executive to take time to consider the many issues that had been raised. Councillor Daly (ward councillor) addressed the Executive on behalf of residents and pointed out that the Elms Gardens allotments were part of the nearby sports ground and were a wildlife site recognised on both the GLA’s and the council’s websites. The area was also recognised to be deficient in open space provision. Councillor Daly stated that the decision taken in 2008 to de-designate the allotment site and to start negotiations for housing development had been taken without public discussion. She put that information given to central government had been misleading and questioned the site’s description as vacant and derelict. Councillor Daly stated that the site was a recognised wildlife site and asked that the views of residents against the loss of amenity be taken into account. She asked that a decision on the disposal be deferred to allow consideration of possible alternative decant sites at Perrin Road and Linthorpe Avenue, outstanding information to be provided and for further consultation to take place.
Councillor Crane (Lead Member, Regeneration and Major Projects) referred members to the officers’ report which sought agreement to the sale of the former allotment site to Notting Hill Housing Trust and to replacement allotments in Gladstone Park Gardens. He pointed out that de-designation had already been agreed and that the sale price would be subject to planning permission. He understood residents’ concerns and also the view that the consultation under the previous Administration had not been widespread. Councillor Crane ... view the full minutes text for item 6