Decision details

The Cabinet will be asked to consider proposals to undertake a programme of community consultation on a comprehensive Masterplan for the Fiddlers/Becontree Heath area  

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration presented a report on the development of a Becontree Heath masterplan aimed at regenerating the area and enhancing the integration of leisure, residential, retail/supermarket, vehicular and pedestrian route provision.

The Cabinet Member referred to the specific aspects that would be covered by the masterplan, the costs associated with the various proposals and the steps that needed to be taken to assist with the successful delivery of the project. 

Cabinet agreed:

  (i)  The masterplanning of the Becontree Heath area as detailed in the report;

  (ii)  That up to £2.09m be apportioned from the Housing Revenue Account to meet the estimated cost of tenant decants, leaseholder buy-backs, commercial interest repurchases and masterplanning, as detailed in Tables 1 and 2 of the report;

 (iii)  That a programme of community consultation and engagement be commenced with all stakeholders in the area;

 (iv)  That the decanting of residents and the purchase of leasehold interests be commenced in respect of affected properties;

  (v)  To the serving of Initial Demolition Notices on all secure tenants of affected properties in order to suspend the requirement for the Council to complete Right-to-Buy applications for those properties, for as long as the Notices remained in force; and

 (vi)  To authorise the use by the Council of its Compulsory Purchase Order making powers pursuant to Section 17 of the Housing Act 1985 (amended) for the acquisition of land, as shown on the map at Appendix 2 to the report, and to promote an Order for the proposed scheme.