Issue - meetings

Further to Minute 40 above, received a report presenting a Housing Strategy for Barking Town Centre (BTC).  The Strategy sets out the proposals to meet all of the current policy objectives for new housing developments while ensuring that housing regeneration fits into the wider regeneration agenda, and contains details of how the Council intends to achieve the target of 4,000 net new homes in the Town Centre through a more balanced tenure whilst maintaining levels of affordable rented homes.

Discussed issues relating to nomination rights and the Council’s housing waiting list, the proposed tenure mix of developments and the need to ensure that the visual amenities for residents are not compromised through neglect by others.  In respect of the proposed tenure mix, the Director of Housing and Health undertook to respond accordingly to Councillor Mrs Rush.

Agreed, in the light of our considerations at this meeting and in order to ensure that new housing development and estate regeneration in Barking Town Centre contributes to the Community Priorities of ‘Regenerating the Local Economy’ and ‘Improving Health, Housing and Social Care’, to:

1.  Adopt the Barking Town Centre Housing Strategy as attached to the report, subject to appropriate minor amendments, as the Council’s guide to potential developers and Registered Social Landlord partners for the housing regeneration of the BTC; and

2.  Note that, in view of our considerations, officers will review the appendix to the Strategy.

Deferred for consideration until 21 June 2005.