Decision details

The Cabinet will be asked to agree principles for the use of a number of small vacant or underused Council owned sites for housing

The Cabinet Member for Housing introduced a report on 18 Council-owned vacant or under-used sites that had been identified as potential development sites for new Council housing.

The Cabinet Member referred to the potential development areas, which were a mix of garage sites, car park sites and green sites with low amenity value and not protected in the Local Development Framework, and confirmed that all but one were designated Housing Revenue Account land.  The sites could potentially accommodate 76 family homes and 50 flats at a total estimated cost of £18.9m over five years and reflected the Council’s position as the biggest builder of social housing in London. 

The Cabinet Member for Environment welcomed the proposal as a positive way of dealing with the demand for Council housing.  It was noted that a separate report would be submitted to the Cabinet in the near future on proposals in respect of “eyesore sites” and officers were encouraged to review other opportunities for similar areas of land in the Borough and to explore the potential for the construction of more elderly persons’ bungalows. 

The Cabinet Member for Housing confirmed that changes to the Housing service would provide a more rigorous approach to housing inspections and the enforcement of Tenancy Agreements.  With regard to the financial implications associated with refurbishment and new build properties, the Cabinet Member outlined the Right To Buy restrictions that are intended to protect the Council’s investment in providing new housing and a discussion ensued on the merits of providing new homes compared to the major refurbishment of existing properties.

On the general issue of potential sites which would be the subject of future reports to Cabinet, the Leader asked officers to make arrangements for Cabinet Members to visit the sites in advance and to co-ordinate the timing of such reports as far as practicable.

Cabinet agreed:

  (i)  In principle, to the bringing forward of the 18 under-used infill sites for residential development (Use Class C3) as listed in the report;

  (ii)  To cease the letting of garages on the infill sites listed in the report with immediate effect;

 (iii)  To delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Corporate Director of Housing and Environment, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services and the Cabinet Member for Housing, to agree terms and a detailed financial cost plan and procure the necessary design, consultancy and related services and works necessary to realise the developments in the manner proposed in the report, and to award and enter into all necessary and appropriate contracts and documentation to realise each scheme;

 (iv)  To delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Housing and Environment, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, to determine the prioritising of the 18 projects listed in the report, taking into account factors such as the outcome of public consultation, the likely delivery timescales and funding availability; and

  (v)  To officers examining the possibility of bringing forward other HRA owned sites for similar development.