Decision details

The Cabinet will be asked to approve proposals for delivering low cost home ownership (starter homes) for LBBD residents as part of the Barking Town Centre Housing Zone scheme at the Gurdwara Way/Whiting Avenue site.

Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Authorise the Strategic Director of Growth and Homes, in consultation with the Strategic Director of Finance and Investment, to approve grant funded expenditure for site remediation and facilitation works up to £854,718, which represents the maximum grant funding available for the works under the Grant Funding Agreement with the Greater London Authority;

(ii)  Authorise the Strategic Director of Growth and Homes, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, the Strategic Director of Finance and Investment and the Director of Law and Governance, to enter negotiations with Pocket Living for the potential freehold transfer of the site for the delivery of low cost home ownership, with the precise value to be ascertained following the specification of remediation costs, the amount of defrayed eligible expenditure on remediation works under the Funding Agreement with the GLA and the results of an independent valuation; and

(iii)  Note that a further report shall be presented to Cabinet detailing any representations received following the publication of a public notice, under Section 122 (2A) of the Local Government Act 1972, on the proposed appropriation of land for planning purposes and future disposal, pursuant to Section 233 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, of the site shown hatched on the plan at Appendix 1 to the report, the outcome of negotiations with Pocket Living and the proposed residency criteria and key worker categories.