Report No: 133/2020

(Key decision)

Cabinet approved the grant applications for the sites at Derwent Drive in Oakham and Cottesmore Road in Uppingham as shown in Appendix A of the report, subject to Planning and the conclusion of satisfactory funding agreements.

Cabinet approved the principle of using affordable housing commuted sums towards the site of the former Brooke Road allotments in Oakham shown in Appendix A of the report, subject to a further report to the Cabinet once further information is available.

Councillor G Brown as the relevant Cabinet Member elaborated on the report and commented that he did not consider it necessary to go into private session as the information contained in appendix would not be discussed. He noted that Cabinet had in May 2020 approved a report that se out the bidding arrangements for approximately £930,000 held by the Council, which had been collected from developers for the provision of off-site affordable housing. Bids were subsequently received from two housing associations for a total of four new build sites. The Council made an internal bid for the purchase of empty properties in Edith Weston. One rural scheme was contrary to planning policy and was much too large to meet local need and was therefore discounted immediately.

He recommended that Cabinet proceed, subject to negotiations and planning consent, that the following are funded; Longhurst (formerly Spire) in Uppingham and Oakham

It was reported that the other site in Oakham for an additional 40 units the Council was not in position to move forward but recommendation was to allow officers to continue to negotiate with developers to optimise opportunities coming forward.

Councillor Walters commented that having discussed the earlier report highlighting shortage of Affordable Homes it was positive to see this being progressed.

RESOLVED:

That the principle of using affordable housing commuted sums towards the site of the former Brooke Road allotments in Oakham shown in Appendix A of the report, be approved subject to a further report to the Cabinet once further information is available.