Agenda item

The Leader of the Council presented a report which provided an update on the progress of the Sheerwater Regeneration Scheme and recommended that the Authority should make a Compulsory Purchase Order to facilitate the carrying out of the Scheme.

It was noted that in February 2020 the Planning Committee had approved changes to the affordable housing provisions sought by the Council (as landowner) and Thameswey Housing Limited and Thameswey Developments Limited, changes which meant that the Scheme could be implemented in the manner proposed.  The Council was advised that only three homeowners of the original 120 had not yet engaged with the Council in connection with the voluntary purchase of their properties and that the Coronavirus outbreak had not adversely affected the implementation of the Scheme. Both the first residential phase (purple phase) and the leisure element of the Scheme were currently proceeding in accordance with the original contract programme.

Officers remained of the view that there was a compelling case in the public interest for the making and confirmation of a Compulsory Purchase Order, and that the Order comprised a proportionate response to secure the Council’s objectives.  It was noted that a grant of £280,000 had been received from the Government to assist with the legal costs of the Order.

In accordance with Standing Order 10.8, the names of Members voting for and against the recommendations were recorded.

In favour:                           Councillors S Ashall, A Azad, A-M Barker, D Bittleston, J Bond, A Boote, M Bridgeman, G Chrystie, G Cundy, K Davis, G Elson, W Forster, D Harlow, K Howard, I Johnson, C Kemp, R Leach, N Martin, R Mohammed, L Morales, C Rana, J Sanderson and M Whitehand

Total in favour:                  23

Against:                             Councillor L Lyons.

Total against:                     1

Present not voting:            The Mayor, Councillor Mrs Hunwicks, and Councillors M Ali, T Aziz, D Hughes and M I Raja

Total present not voting:   5

The recommendations were therefore carried by 23 votes in favour to 1 vote against.

RESOLVED

That  (i)    the Council authorises the use of Compulsory Purchase powers as set out in Section 226(1)(a) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to compulsorily acquire the Order Land identified within Appendix 1, and in particular that the Council makes the Order;

          (ii)   the Director of Legal and Democratic Services, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder, be authorised to settle the final form and content of the Order and all associated documentation and take all action needed to pursue the Order and secure its confirmation;

          (iii)  the Director of Legal and Democratic Services, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder, be authorised to negotiate, agree terms and enter into agreements with interested parties including agreements for the withdrawal of objections or undertakings not to enforce the Order on specific terms including where appropriate removing land or rights from the Order or to request the modification of the Order by the Secretary of State;

          (iv) the Director of Legal and Democratic Services in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder, be authorised to implement the Order powers following confirmation of the Order, and so acquire title to and/or take possession of the Order Land; and

          (v)   the External Borrowing Limits be determined as set out in the table below: