Decision details

The Cabinet Member with the Resources Portfolio introduced the report (previously circulated) of the Chief Executive requesting that consideration be given to acquiring a house, house plot and orchard, as shown on the plan appended to the submitted report and seeking approval to the release of funding, to enable a detailed planning application to be submitted by the Council’s Joint Venture partner Homes by ESH Ltd., for development of the site for housing.

The submitted report stated that the Council owned circa 5.7 Ha (14.12 acres) of land at Coniscliffe Road; that there was no viable access and egress to this land; acquiring the house and plot would enable the land to be considered for potential development; subject to the proposed acquisition and subject to planning permission, the Council’s Joint Venture partner could bring the land forward for residential development; and that the owners of the house and plot had agreed to sell to the Council.

It was reported that a further report would be submitted to Cabinet for consideration with the sale terms to Homes by ESH Ltd and seeking authority for the establishment of a new Joint Venture company.  This would be accompanied by a detailed site layout plan showing the actual number of houses proposed.

Reference was made at the meeting to the need to provide affordable housing on the site.

RESOLVED – (a)  That the acquisition of the house, house plot and orchard on Coniscliffe Road, as shown on the plan appended to the submitted report, be approved, subject to planning permission being obtained for residential development on the site, together with the release of funding so that a detailed planning application can be submitted by Homes by ESH Ltd, on the terms, as set out in Appendix 2 Part III of the submitted report.

(b)  That the Assistant Director for Law and Governance be authorised to complete the transfers of land accordingly.

(c)  That the Chief Executive and/or Executive Director of Economy and Public Protection be given delegated approval to negotiate terms in line with the report.

REASONS – (a)  To secure land for future residential development.

(b)  To give the Council control of a large area of land for future residential development.