To consider options available for providing a site as a replacement for the existing unauthorised site at Broad Drove, Gosberton Clough. (Joint report of the Portfolio Holder for Housing Landlord and the Housing Manager enclosed)
Minutes:
Consideration was given to the report of the Portfolio Holder for Housing Landlord and the Housing Manager, which sought consideration of options available for providing a site as a replacement for the existing unauthorised Gypsy and Traveller site at Broad Drove, Gosberton Clough.
DECISION:
a) That delegated authority be granted to the Asset and Property Manager to enter into an Option Agreement for the conditional purchase of the site referred to as “Site B” within the report, and for any matters arising, following discussion with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, Commercial Assets and Strategic Planning, subject to the conditions stated in Appendix B to the report. The Option Agreement to be conditional upon Planning Permission for the site being granted;
b) That delegated authority be granted to the Asset and Property Manager to enter into an Option Agreement for the conditional purchase of the site referred to as “Site C” within the report, and for any matters arising, following discussion with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, Commercial Assets and Strategic Planning, subject to the conditions stated in Appendix B to the report;
c) That delegated authority be granted to the Housing Manager, following discussion with the Portfolio Holder for Housing Landlord, to submit a planning application for Site B to be developed as a permanent Gypsy and Traveller site, and for any matters arising;
d) That, subject to planning permission being granted for Site B, delegated authority be granted to the Asset and Property Manager to exercise the Option Agreement and to complete the purchase of the site, and for any matters arising, following discussion with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, Commercial Assets and Strategic Planning, subject to the conditions stated in Appendix B to the report;
e) That, subject to planning permission being granted for Site B, delegated
authority be granted to the Housing Manager, following discussion with the Portfolio Holder for Housing Landlord, to award a works contract for the development and construction of the new site and for any matters arising, subject to the following:
o A compliant and robust procurement process being followed for the award of the contract;
o The accepted price for the work being within budget; and
o The development of the site to be on a “like for like” basis, as set out in the “Development Options” section within the report.
f) That the development proposals, as detailed within section 3.0 of the report, be adopted; and
g) That, upon completion of the new site, Site B, the land be conveyed to the Travellers currently living on the unauthorised site at Broad Drove, Gosberton Clough, and/or with a legal interest in it, in exchange for the land they currently occupied and/or had a legal interest in at Broad Drove, Gosberton Clough. The relocation of residents to be conditional upon the legal exchange having taken place. The relocation of residents to take place during one day. Final arrangements to be delegated to the Housing Manager through discussion with the Portfolio Holder for Housing Landlord.
(Other options considered:
· Do Nothing. The relocation of the residents from the existing unauthorised site at Broad Drove, Gosberton Clough, had been a long standing issue and remained unresolved at this time. Consequently, doing nothing was not considered to be a viable option; and
· To revert to the option recommended to Cabinet for approval in June 2012 (Site A) – this remained a potentially viable option which Cabinet might wish to consider.
Reasons for decision:
· To enable the Council to acquire land suitable for the development of a Gypsy and Traveller site to replace the existing unauthorised site at Broad Drove, Gosberton Clough;
· To enable a specification of work to be agreed prior to acquiring the land in order that all associated risks could be identified and acknowledged;
· To avoid the need for land acquisition by means of a Compulsory Purchase Order in order to reduce the timescales and costs involved; and
· To ensure sufficient budget was available for the delivery of the remaining sites.