Decision details

The Cabinet will be asked to approve proposals relating to the entering into of a Development Agreement for the delivery of 90 housing units, 59% of which would be affordable, on the site of the former Job Centre in Chequers Lane, Dagenham

Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Agree the preferred option for the project, consisting of a 100% affordable housing scheme comprising 62 Affordable Rent homes let at up to 80% of market rent and 28 London Affordable Rent (LAR) homes;

(ii)  Agree to enter into a Development Agreement with Hollybrook Developments to deliver 90 units at a total development cost of £25,714,877 on a turn-key basis for expected completion in 2021/22, subject to satisfactory due diligence;

(iii)  Agree to the borrowing of up to £17,624,877 within the General Fund to finance the entire development, subject to satisfactory due diligence;

(iv)  Agree to allocate up to £5.29m restricted Right to Buy receipts, if required, to fund the construction and professional fees to support the financial viability of the affordable housing project;

(v)  Agree to allocate £2.8m GLA LAR grant funding, subject to a successful bid, to support the financial viability of the LAR tenure;

(vi)  Agree to allocate £69,000 for 2020/21 and £289,500 for 2021/22 (total of £358,500) to the Council’s interest payable budget to cover the scheme’s development costs;

(vii)  Note that the scheme met the Investment and Acquisition Strategy financial performance metrics, as outlined in Appendix 3 to the report;

(viii)  Agree to the use of an existing or the establishment of a Special Purpose Vehicle(s) as required within the B&D Reside structure to develop, own, let, sell and manage and maintain the homes in accordance with the funding terms in a loan agreement between the Council and Special Purpose Vehicle; and

(viii)  Delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer, in consultation with the Director of Law and Governance, to agree and execute any legal agreements and contract documents to fully implement the project.