Agenda item
The Willesden Green Project
This paper outlines redevelopment options for the Willesden Green Library site. It sets out proposals for the comprehensive redevelopment of the entire site into a mixed used scheme to include a new bespoke flagship Council building with housing. The new Council building would provide a vibrant cultural hub for the south of the borough and have a customer facing offer. The purpose of this report is to gain the necessary approvals required to test the market and establish if the redevelopment of Willesden Green Library can be delivered at zero net capital cost to the Council.
Decision:
(i) that agreement in principle be given to the comprehensive redevelopment of the entire 0.86 hectare Willesden Green Library site in accordance with paragraph 3.11 of the report from the Director of Regeneration and Major Projects;
(ii) that the proposed use of the Homes and Community Agency Developer Partner Panel Framework to procure a development partner be endorsed;
(iii) that the proposed interim service delivery strategy for the library service be endorsed;
(iv) that the proposed consultation strategy outlined in paragraph 3.33. of the report from the Director be endorsed;
(v) that the Assistant Director of Regeneration and Major Projects (Property and Assets) dispose of the land at Chambers LaneWillesden Green shown crossed hatched black on Plan A at Appendix 1 of the reportwith vacant possession by way of auction, on such terms as he considers appropriate provided that such reserve price as he considers appropriate is achieved;
(vi) that the Director of Regeneration and Major Projects be authorised (where the Director Regeneration and Major Projects in conjunction with the Director of Legal and Procurement consider applicable) to appropriate the Willesden Green Library site shown crossed hatched black on Plan B (at Appendix 1 of the report) for planning purposes when it is no longer required for the purposes for which it is currently held;
(vii) that the Director of Regeneration and Major Projects (in conjunction with the Director of Legal and Procurement) in respect of the housing land shown cross hatched black on Plan C at Appendix 1 forming part of the Willesden Green Library site (together with such other areas of land acquired for housing purposes which investigations may subsequently reveal have not been previously appropriated) be authorised to seek consent of the Secretary of State (if applicable):
(a) under Section 19 of the Housing Act 1985 to an appropriation for planning purposes;
(b) under Section 32 of the Housing Act 1985 to the disposal of this land.
Minutes:
The report from the Director of Regeneration and Major Projects outlined redevelopment options for the Willesden Green Library site. It set out proposals for the comprehensive redevelopment of the entire site into a mixed used scheme to include a new bespoke flagship Council building with housing. Councillor Crane (Lead Member, Regeneration and Economic Development) stated that the intent at this stage was to gain approval to test the market and establish if the redevelopment of Willesden Green Library could be delivered at zero net capital cost to the Council and then to report back. He advised that some consultation had started and the intention, should the scheme progress, would be to minimise any period of closure and to put in place continuity plans.
Councillor Hunter (ward councillor) questioned whether in the event of the Willesden Green project proceeding, the local libraries at Neasden and Cricklewood currently being considered for closure as part of the library transformation programme could remain open at least for the transition period. Councillor Powney reminded that the project was still at feasibility stage but in any event robust arrangements would be in place during any transition stage.
The Executive also had before them appendices to the report which were not for publication as they contained the following category of exempt information as specified in Schedule 12 of the Local Government (Access to Information Act) 1972:
Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).
RESOLVED:-
(i) that agreement in principle be given to the comprehensive redevelopment of the entire 0.86 hectare Willesden Green Library site in accordance with paragraph 3.11 of the report from the Director of Regeneration and Major Projects;
(ii) that the proposed use of the Homes and Community Agency Developer Partner Panel Framework to procure a development partner be endorsed;
(iii) that the proposed interim service delivery strategy for the library service be endorsed;
(iv) that the proposed consultation strategy outlined in paragraph 3.33. of the report from the Director be endorsed;
(v) that the Assistant Director of Regeneration and Major Projects (Property and Assets) dispose of the land at Chambers LaneWillesden Green shown crossed hatched black on Plan A at Appendix 1 of the reportwith vacant possession by way of auction, on such terms as he considers appropriate provided that such reserve price as he considers appropriate is achieved;
(vi) that the Director of Regeneration and Major Projects be authorised (where the Director Regeneration and Major Projects in conjunction with the Director of Legal and Procurement consider applicable) to appropriate the Willesden Green Library site shown crossed hatched black on Plan B (at Appendix 1 of the report) for planning purposes when it is no longer required for the purposes for which it is currently held;
(vii) that the Director of Regeneration and Major Projects (in conjunction with the Director of Legal and Procurement) in respect of the housing land shown cross hatched black on Plan C at Appendix 1 forming part of the Willesden Green Library site (together with such other areas of land acquired for housing purposes which investigations may subsequently reveal have not been previously appropriated) be authorised to seek consent of the Secretary of State (if applicable):
(a) under Section 19 of the Housing Act 1985 to an appropriation for planning purposes;
(b) under Section 32 of the Housing Act 1985 to the disposal of this land.
Supporting documents:
- Restricted enclosure View the reasons why document 16./1 is restricted
- rmp-willesden-green-Final Draft, item 16. PDF 124 KB
- rmp-willesden-green-app1 Plan A, item 16. PDF 98 KB
- rmp-willesden-green-app1 Plan B, item 16. PDF 123 KB
- rmp-willesden-green-app1 Plan C, item 16. PDF 98 KB
- Restricted enclosure View the reasons why document 16./6 is restricted
- Restricted enclosure View the reasons why document 16./7 is restricted
- Restricted enclosure View the reasons why document 16./8 is restricted