Decision details

Decision Title

Highfield Farm Strategic Acquisitions

Date of Decision:

29 June 2021

Decision Maker:

(Including Job Title)

Simon Moss, Assistant Director for Planning, Regeneration and Transport, in conjunction with,

Anne Marie Lubanski, Strategic Director for Adult Care, Housing and Public Health (acting for Tom Bell, Assistant Director for Housing)

Specific Delegation:

(If any)

Delegated authority was sought from and approved by Cabinet at the Cabinet meeting of 13 July 2020.

Brief Description of Decision:

The Highfield Farm housing development in West Melton is bringing forward six affordable homes under ‘Section 106’ planning provisions; the homes will be provided as two-bedroom bungalows. The Council has previously submitted an offer to purchase the homes at a discount from the open market value and this officer decision allows the Council to conclude the purchase and enter into contract. Once ready, the homes will be brought into the Council’s existing housing stock and offered to suitable households on the Housing Register.

Reasons for the Decision:

Section 106 planning policy provisions allow for affordable homes to be made available to registered providers of social housing at a discount from the full open market value. Purchasing such homes therefore provides a cost-effective means for the Council to replace existing stock which is being lost through the Right to Buy and thereby to help meet demand from the Housing Register. The Council is paying 66% of the open market value for these homes.

Details of alternative options considered and rejected:

Not proceeding with the purchase of the new homes was rejected on the basis that this would be a missed opportunity to purchase discounted homes and to increase Council housing stock.

Further options to purchase more than six homes from the scheme, as set out within the July 2020 Cabinet report, we’re not pursued as the developer elected to sell all non-discounted homes on the open market.

Conflicts of interest declared by any Executive Member consulted by the decision maker which relates to the decision:

None

None

Reports or parts of reports considered

Strategic Acquisition of 12 Units at Highfield Farm, West Melton – Cabinet 13 July 2020