Issue - meetings

Further to minute 111 (23 April 2019), the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Social Housing presented a report on the outcomes of a public consultation with regards to proposals to redevelop a site at Rectory Road, Dagenham to deliver c.56 affordable homes, together with c.468m2 of new community space.

The Cabinet Member explained that 13 of the 16 residents at Jarvis Court, including 12 of the 13 Council tenants, had taken part in the resident engagement process and nine (all Council tenants) were in favour of comprehensive redevelopment.  Three tenants were opposed to comprehensive development while the sole leaseholder to take part was in favour of an infill development.

Members noted that the comprehensive redevelopment proposal would provide circa 56 affordable homes and the Council tenants would have a Right to Return at Council target rent and on an Assured tenancy.  Resident leaseholders would also have a Right to Return and financial assistance would be available to tenants and leaseholders to support the choices they make.

Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Approve the proposed redevelopment of the former Royal British Legion site and Jervis Court, as shown edged red in the plan at Appendix 1 to the report;

(ii)  Agree the service of Initial Demolition Notices on all secure tenants at the affected properties at the appropriate time, in order to suspend the requirement for the Council to complete Right to Buy applications for as long as the notices remain in force, and delegate approval and timing of final notices to the Director of Inclusive Growth, in consultation with the Director of Law and Governance;

(iii)  Approve to the use by the Council of its Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) making powers, should they prove necessary to facilitate the future redevelopment of the site;

(iv)  Agree that, subject to the grant of an acceptable planning permission and receipt of satisfactory construction tender prices, the project be financed and held within the residential asset class of the Investment and Acquisition Strategy;

(v)  Agree the inclusion of the project in the Council’s Capital Programme in the total sum of £19,700,000, subject to securing planning permission and procurement of a contractor in accordance with the project outputs and budget;

(vi)  Agree the Funding Strategy set out in section 5.10 of the report, including borrowing up to £13,402,000 within the General Fund from the Public Works Loan Board, to finance the development and ownership of the affordable rent homes via a loan agreement made between the Council and any suitable vehicle that the new units may be held in (e.g. a new B&D Reside Registered Provider or other vehicle); and

(vii)  Approve the appropriation of the land, as shown edged red in the plan at Appendix 2 to the report, under Section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972, from the Housing Revenue Account to the General Fund.