Decision details

To seek approval for the land to be used as a site for potential self build plots and for the authority to dispose of the site for plots in due course, subject to planning permission.

The Cabinet Member with the Economy Portfolio introduced the report of the Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services (previously circulated) requesting that consideration be given to identifying the plot of land to the rear of Tandridge Court, off Woodland Road, Darlington, as shown on the plan appended to the submitted report, as a potential site to be included in the Council’s Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Register, with the intention that this site be made available for future self-build development.

The submitted report stated that the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 placed a duty on public authorities to keep a register of individuals and associations who wished to acquire serviced plots to bring forward self-build and custom housebuilding and Local Authorities were required to publicise the register to allow people to express an interest in acquiring a self-build plot; to bear the register in mind while carrying out its functions; and to grant sufficient serviced plots to meet the identified need on the register for each year, although registration did not guarantee that a suitable plot would be identified or would become available.  Darlington currently had a requirement to deliver one serviced plot by October 2020 and a second by October 2021 for two separate individuals on Part 1 of the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Register.

It was reported that the Council owned the former Cockerton depot site at the rear of Tandridge Court, off Woodlands Road, Darlington; the plot was considered suitable for self-build use and might be able to accommodate a number of residential dwelling houses; the plot was surplus to operational requirements; the plot(s) would be available for sale with the benefit of Outline Planning Permission; prospective purchasers would be required to submit a Reserved Matters application for detailed planning consent; to protect the Council’s position and ensure a quality product the Council would initially transfer the land to the self-builder under a building licence; and that the freehold interest would only be transferred once the development was completed in accordance with the planning permission and a certificate of practical completion issued.

RESOLVED - (a)  That the land to the rear of Tandridge Court, as shown at Appendix 1 of the submitted report, be declared surplus to operational requirements, and it be included on the Council’s Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Register.

(b)  That the Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member with the Economy Portfolio, be authorised to dispose of the land for self-build housing development, subject to the Council receiving market value for the plot(s) and the prospective self-builder obtaining detailed planning consent.

(c)  That the Assistant Director Law and Governance be authorised to complete the documentation for the disposal of the land.

(d)  That the terms agreed for the subsequent sale of self-build plots, be reported on the Schedule of Transactions in due course.

REASONS - (a)  To facilitate the Council’s duty to have a site available and listed on the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Register.

(b)  This site has been vacant for several years and a self-build development would be a suitable use for the surplus land.