The report summarised progress since the last report to Committee on 5 July 2021 on the development of a pipeline of new affordable homes through the development and regeneration of various Housing Revenue Account (HRA) owned sites.

As a reminder, this Strategic Housing Delivery Programme (SHDP) is made up of two distinct elements,

1)    the regeneration of Brookfield Close and Courage Court, Hutton to develop 62 zero carbon homes and

2)    the development of a range of smaller HRA sites to deliver a further 80 Zero Carbon homes on a further 8 council owned sites.

All of these new homes will contribute to, and be managed within, the Council’s HRA. In addition this report also updated Members on progress with the conversion of 17, Crescent Road, Brentwood, a vacant double fronted Victorian villa style house in some disrepair into two new apartments.

The Council’s Corporate Strategy ‘Brentwood 2025’ commits to Introducing “innovative Carbon reduction and absorption schemes”, “identify opportunities for low emission and green developments” and using ‘brownfield sites efficiently, such as council owned garage sites, to provide affordable homes…”.

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Mrs Pearson and SECONDED by Cllr Mrs Hones to agree the recommendations in the report.

Following a discussion a vote the recommendations were taken separately.

Members are requested to:

1.     Note the new affordable homes programme viability assessment in the report and approve:

a)    the continuation of financial and technical assessment across the small sites programme to inform a final report to this Committee on the viability of the programme;

b)    the commencement of the tendering process for a construction partner for the redevelopment of Brookfield Close and Courage Court.

A vote by show of hands was taken and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY.

Members are requested to:

2.     Consider the options available for the redevelopment of Ingleton House and identify the preferred option for further delivery assessment.

A vote by show of hands was taken and it was RESOLVED to agree Option 1 (within the report) - Continued Inclusion in the Council’s Small Sites Programme of new affordable homes.