Issue - items at meetings - New Homes for Neighbourhoods – development of new homes on Housing Revenue Account (HRA) land

(1)       That it be agreed that the Estate Regeneration team in conjunction with the council’s Sustainable Futures strategic construction partnership undertake final feasibility studies, design and development of new council housing on the sites of:

(i)  the larger car parking site at Ardingly Street, Kemp Town, Brighton

(ii) the northernmost garage site (Site A) at Patchdean, Patcham, Brighton

(iii) the southernmost garage site (Site B) at Patchdean, Patcham, Brighton and

(iv) the garage site in Buckley Close, Hangleton, Hove

under the second phase of the New Homes for Neighbourhoods Programme.

77.1    The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Environment, Development & Housing which reported that the Estate Regeneration Team had continued to commission initial feasibility and design studies for developing new homes on a number of sites on Housing Revenue Account (HRA) land in accordance with Housing Committee’s agreement in September 2012.  This report included the findings of four of these business case studies of potential infill sites for the New Homes for Neighbourhoods Estate Regeneration Programme and sought authority to develop these sites through the council’s Sustainable Futures corporate strategic construction partnership.  The report was presented by the Housing Stock Review Manager.  

77.2    Members were informed that a final report would be presented to the Committee in the autumn.  In the meanwhile an update would be provided to the Cross Party Regeneration Board.  Committee members and ward councillors would be kept updated. 

77.3    The Chair asked about the progress of other schemes.  The Housing Stock Review Manager reported that detailed designs for Manor Place were being prepared.  Tenants had been able to view the plans yesterday.  300 flyers had been delivered to neighbours.  A consultation event had been publicised and there had been a five hour drop in session with the architects and housing officers in attendance. 70 pick ups had resulted from the consultation and 35 forms returned.  The Task and Finish Group would consider the response on 1 May. 

77.4    Councillor Mears stated that she had been promised details of the cost of the programme and could not see details of borrowing costs in the report.  Councillor Mears stressed that it was difficult to work out the overall costs of the scheme and hoped that the next report would provide this information.

77.5    Councillor Shanks asked if a decision had been made on rents.  The Chair replied in the negative.  The view was that there would be a need for a mixture of housing with some shared ownership.  He would like to see some self build included.

77.6    RESOLVED - (1)      That it be agreed that the Estate Regeneration team in conjunction with the council’s Sustainable Futures strategic construction partnership undertake final feasibility studies, design and development of new council housing on the sites of:

(i)  the larger car parking site at Ardingly Street, Kemp Town, Brighton

(ii) the northernmost garage site (Site A) at Patchdean, Patcham, Brighton

(iii) the southernmost garage site (Site B) at Patchdean, Patcham, Brighton and

(iv) the garage site in Buckley Close, Hangleton, Hove

under the second phase of the New Homes for Neighbourhoods Programme.