Agenda item

The Report of the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods is attached.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    the Council owned site at Marlwood, Cotgrave and of the Council’s part ownership of a site at Walcote Drive, West Bridgford be disposed of to Metropolitan Housing at a nil value to facilitate the delivery of affordable housing as determined by the Council, subject to advertising the proposed disposals as set out in paragraph 7.2 of the officer’s report.

b)    that the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and Business be delegated authority to consider any representations received in regard to a) above.

c)     the commissioning of rural housing needs surveys and exception site development, in consultation with Parish Councils, be approved.

d)    the package of measures as detailed at paragraphs 4.5, 4.6 and 4.7 of the officer’s report to increase the provision of affordable housing, utilising the Council’s approved capital programme allocation for affordable housing, be approved.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Planning presented the report of the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods. The report provided Cabinet with a review of affordable housing including progress to date, forward projections and the emerging opportunities to create additional affordable housing in the Borough.

The Portfolio Holder noted that the availability of affordable housing was a current national debate but was pleased that officers were being proactive in the growing need of affordable housing within Rushcliffe. The Portfolio Holder advised that the Council’s main sources of new affordable housing had been Section 106 sites, the redevelopment of garage sites, in partnership with Metropolitan Housing and the development of rural exception sites. It was also noted that the affordable housing projection for 2017/18 to 2021/22 was 805 new properties.

The Portfolio Holder noted that there was currently £1.6 million available in the capital fund programme set aside to support affordable housing. The Portfolio Holder recommended that if approved, funding should be used to seek suitable sites in small communities within the Borough for affordable housing sites. The Portfolio Holder was pleased to recommend to Cabinet the disposal of two sites at Malwood, Cotgrave and Walcote Drive, West Bridgford at nil value to Metropolitan Housing in order for 7 affordable housing units to be developed.

The Portfolio Holder suggested an alteration to recommendation b) outlined in the report. The Portfolio Holder proposed that recommendation b) should read

“approve the commissioning of rural housing needs surveys and exception site development in consultation with Parish Council’s.”

The Portfolio Holder believed that after consideration that rural housing needs surveys should not be commissioned independent from support of Parish Councils.

In seconding the recommendations Councillor Edyvean noted his support for using small amounts of Council land to facilitate the provision and supply of affordable housing. Councillor Edyvean also confirmed that the delivery of affordable housing was a priority of the Council and was pleased that the Council’s commitment to affordable housing meant that affordable housing was being delivered more successfully in Rushcliffe than in other neighbouring authorities.

Councillor Robinson welcomed the alteration to recommendation b) and was pleased that it was projected for the Council would deliver 805 affordable by the end of 2021/22.

Councillor Moore supported the delivery of affordable homes through rural exception sites and supported the amendment to the recommendation as he believed that working with the Parish Council’s was an effective method to understand the housing needs of rural areas.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    the Council owned site at Marlwood, Cotgrave and of the Council’s part ownership of a site at Walcote Drive, West Bridgford be disposed of to Metropolitan Housing at a nil value to facilitate the delivery of affordable housing as determined by the Council, subject to advertising the proposed disposals as set out in paragraph 7.2 of the officer’s report.

b)    that the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and Business be delegated authority to consider any representations received in regard to a) above.

c)     the commissioning of rural housing needs surveys and exception site development, in consultation with Parish Councils, be approved.

d)    the package of measures as detailed at paragraphs 4.5, 4.6 and 4.7 of the officer’s report to increase the provision of affordable housing, utilising the Council’s approved capital programme allocation for affordable housing, be approved.

Reason for decisions

To assist with the Council’s delivery of affordable housing.