Agenda item

Further to Minute 8 (4 August 2014), Councillor Geddes presented a report on the Council’s successful bid to the Greater London Authority for the Housing Zone proposal covering existing industrial areas on Thames Road and parts of River Road within Thames ward.

The Barking Riverside Gateways Housing Zone project would involve the phased development of around 3,000 homes, commercial space and associated facilities, supported by a £30m grant from the GLA.  Councillor Geddes elaborated on the benefits that the project would bring to the Thames ward area in terms of the new housing, improved school provision and the removal of some run-down industrial buildings as a way of bringing the Thames View Estate closer to the new Barking Riverside area.  Alongside the benefits were a number of significant challenges and Councillor Geddes advised that a strategy was currently being developed to ensure that local residents, businesses and religious organisations occupying premises in the area would be involved during the redevelopment process.

In response to a question from Councillor Butt regarding the level of affordable housing that would be provided, Councillor Geddes advised that it was not possible to give a figure at such an early point in the process although he hoped to maximise the potential for the area as well as achieving the right balance between residential and industrial development.  Councillor Carpenter particularly welcomed the plans to change some industrial uses on Thames Road to mixed use residential which would help integrate the new primary school at the eastern end of Thames Road into the wider community and, at the same time, make it safer and more attractive for pupils. 

Councillor Turner spoke in support of the overall project, commenting that he hoped that the improved transport links, the recently announced Barking Riverside Healthy New Town designation and the removal of physical and perceptual barriers between Barking Riverside and the Thames View Estate would benefit all those that lived and worked in the area.  In relation to the volume of waste facilities in that area, Councillor Geddes confirmed that discussions were ongoing with the Deputy London Mayor for Housing, Land and Property regarding the relocation of some of those facilities to provide a fairer spread across London, particularly bearing in mind that the Borough was now home to the London Sustainable Industries Park.

Councillor Twomey commented on the significant financial investment coming into the Borough in support of the Council’s ambitious regeneration plans while the Leader referred to the work being undertaken to improve health facilities in the area through the Accountable Care Organisation initiative.

Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Agree to enter into the Overarching Borough Agreement and associated Intervention Agreement(s) with the Greater London Authority, forming the basis for the Housing Zone arrangements with the Council, as set out in the report;

(ii)  Agree to the principle of a phased redevelopment of the area shown in Appendix 1 for a housing-led, mixed used development;

(iii)  Agree to the principle of procuring a long term funding partner with a view to managing the area and holding property over the long term;

(iv)  Delegate authority to the Strategic Director for Growth and Homes, in consultation with the Strategic Director of Finance and Investment, the Director of Law and Governance and the Cabinet Members for Finance and Regeneration, to approve land purchases within the Barking Riverside Gateways Housing Zone area, subject to available funding;

(v)  Agree that, should negotiations with landowners not progress, the Council use its Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) making powers pursuant to Section 226 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (As Amended) for the acquisition of the leasehold and freehold interests in the properties for the purposes of securing land needed to allow the redevelopment of these areas;

(vi)  Delegate authority to the Strategic Director for Growth and Homes, in consultation with the Director of Law and Governance, to take all necessary steps to secure the making, confirmation and implementation of a CPO within the Housing Zone area including the publication and service of all Notices and the presentation of the Council’s case at any Public Inquiry;

(vii)  Agree that the GLA Housing Zone funding of £30m shall not be used to purchase any of the Council’s property interests in the area and used instead to provide a receipt or income stream from subsequent development; and

(viii)  Agree that a further report be presented to Cabinet on options for the delivery of new homes on the site.