Issue - meetings

The purpose of this report is to update the Cabinet on the progress Brent Community Land Trust, (BCLT) has made towards establishing a Community Led Housing (CLH) scheme utilising a site at Brentfield Road and outlines the next steps in the process.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)        To confirm the position that the Brentfield Road site, as detailed at Appendix 1 of the report, continues to be ring-fenced for the purpose of Community Led Housing.

(2)        To agree that the site be ring fenced for a further period until March 2026.

(3)        To delegate authority to the Corporate Director, Neighbourhoods and Regeneration to certify whether Brent Community Land Trust (BCLT) had met the specific criteria detailed at paragraph 3.2.3 of the report and, based on that certification, to approve the next steps outlined in (4) and (5) below.

(4)        To delegate authority to the Director of Property and Assets (in consultation with the Corporate Director Neighbourhoods and Regeneration) to agree heads of terms and enter into a conditional agreement for lease with the BCLT.

(5)        To delegate authority to the Director of Property and Assets to enter into a 250 year lease (and/or any ancillary legal document) with the BCLT once the conditions detailed at paragraph 3.2.3 of the report were fulfilled.

(6)        To agree in principle to further consider the use of appropriation for planning purposes under section 19 (1) of the Housing Act 1985 and/or section 122 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972 to support the development of the Brentfield Road site and to ensure the scheme was not frustrated or delayed by legal injunction.

(7)        To delegate authority to the Corporate Director Neighbourhoods and Regeneration to formally cease the site ring-fencing upon non-compliance of the specific criteria detailed at paragraph 3.2.3 of the report.

(8)        To delegate authority to the Corporate Director Neighbourhoods and Regeneration to extend the site ring fencing by an additional 6 months should BCLT fail to meet the specific criteria detailed in paragraph 3.2.3 of the report but be able to demonstrate significant progress towards meeting the criteria.

(9)        To note that should BCLT fail to meet the specific criteria detailed in paragraph 3.2.3 of the report or demonstrate significant progress towards meeting the criteria, the site would be returned to Brent Council and the formal arrangement with BCLT would cease.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 14 April 25

Councillor Benea (as Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning & Property) introduced a report from the Corporate Director Resident & Housing Services providing an update on the progress made by Brent Community Land Trust (BCLT) towards establishing a Community Led Housing (CLH) scheme utilising a site at Brentfield Road and outlining the next steps in the process.

In presenting the report, Cabinet were reminded of the background to the scheme and decision which had been taken in May 2023 to ring fence the site at Brentfield Road for provision of a Community Led Housing (CLH) for a 12-month period.  Following that decision members were advised that Brent Community Land Trust (BCLT) had been working towards meeting the initial criteria set out in section 3.2.3 of the report which, to date, had included developing the scheme to concept design and pre application stage, selecting a Registered Provider, pending final agreement, to act as developer for the site and engagement with the surrounding community.  Recognising the progress made, Cabinet were now being asked to consider extending the ring-fence on use of the site offered until March 2026 in order to provide BCLT more time to fully demonstrate their capacity to move forward with the project.  Members were advised that the extension would also allow the Council to continue working with BCLT to ensure that the necessary steps were taken for the project to succeed enabling it, once they had been assessed as meeting the specified criteria, to move forward and enter into a formal lease agreement.  In terms of benefits outlined, members noted that whilst maintaining the necessary level of oversight and accountability in seeking to ensure the scheme remained on track the approach would also provide support for continuation of a community-led initiative as well as contribute towards the much needed delivery of affordable housing within the borough with the proposals therefore commended on this basis.

In considering the report, members welcomed and supported the commitment towards encouraging and supporting community-led housing projects recognising the role they could play towards increasing the supply of affordable housing.  Whilst recognising that progress on the scheme had faced challenges, support was expressed for the proposed extension of the existing arrangements in an attempt to move forward and also continue facilitating community-led initiatives recognising the benefits delivered for residents.

On the basis of the discussion at the meeting Cabinet therefore RESOLVED:

(1)        To confirm the position that the Brentfield Road site, as detailed at Appendix 1 of the report, continues to be ring-fenced for the purpose of Community Led Housing.

(2)        To agree that the site be ring fenced for a further period until March 2026.

(3)        To delegate authority to the Corporate Director, Neighbourhoods and Regeneration to certify whether Brent Community Land Trust (BCLT) had met the specific criteria detailed at paragraph 3.2.3 of the report and based on that certification, to approve the next steps outlined in (4) and (5) below.

(4)        To delegate authority to the Director of Property and Assets (in consultation with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11