Agenda item

(Director of Communities) To consider the attached report (CHB-002-2016/17).

(1)          That the Cabinet Committee considers the viability of each of the 2 revised feasibility studies previously approved by the Cabinet Committee, for inclusion in a future phase of the Council House-building Programme;

a)    Pentlow Way, Buckhurst Hill; and

b)    Woollard Street, Waltham Abbey.

The Assistant Director (Housing Property & Development) presented a report to the Cabinet Committee. He advised that each of the two sites at Pentlow Way, Buckhurst Hill and Woollard Street, Waltham Abbey had previously had their feasibility studies and viability approved by the Cabinet Committee. However, the designs presented were restricted by the presence of either a mains sewer or a mains electrical sub-station. As discussed at the respective Cabinet Committee meetings, revised feasibility studies had been undertaken based on diverting these mains services.

The Assistant Director introduced the Council’s agent from Pellings LLP, who gave  details on the two sites.

Pentlow Way, Buckhurst Hill

There was a large underground foul sewer that ran through this site and an electricity sub-station on the site. After discussions with planners it was suggested that the underground foul sewer could be diverted and a more appropriate design could be created.

The original feasibility study consisted of 4 x 1 bedroomed units and the revised feasibility study would consist of 5 x 1 bedroomed units and 2 x 2 bedroomed units. Therefore the revised feasibility study gave an additional 3 units.

Woollard Street, Waltham Abbey

There was an underground foul and surface water sewer which ran along the boundaries of this site. After discussions with planners it had been suggested that there was a shortage of one bedroomed properties in the district and the site would be better utilised to consist of 9 x 1 bedroomed units with 18 parking spaces.

The original feasibility study consisted of 5 x 2 bedroomed units and the revised feasibility study consisted of 9 x 1 bedroomed units. Therefore the revised feasibility study gave an additional 4 units.

Decision:

(1)          That the Cabinet Committee considers that each of the following 2 revised feasibility studies previously approved by the Cabinet Committee are viable for inclusion in a future phase of the Council House-building Programme;

a)    Pentlow Way, Buckhurst Hill; and

b)    Woollard Street, Waltham Abbey.

Reasons for Decision:

Whilst the 2 sites included in this report are from the original list of 65 sites approved by the Cabinet in 2012, each site was presented on its own merits at this stage, and will feature in Phases 5 and 6 respectively.

Other Options Considered and Rejected:

(1)          Not to progress with any of the schemes presented in this report and adopt one of the options included in recommendation 2 a-f.

(2)          To develop the sites with a different number of homes, or with an alternative mix of property types or parking allocation; or

(3)          To revert to the original feasibility study as previously agreed.