At the Environment, Enforcement & Housing Committee held on the 25th June 2019 approval was sought in relation to three recommendations concerning anticipated housing development projects at Brookfield Close, Hutton and Sir Francis Way Brentwood.

• That the Committee formally approves delegated authority for the Housing Services Manager to submit outline planning permission for both sites at Brookfield Close, Hutton and Sir Francis Way.

• That the feasibility report outcomes are reported to the next appropriate Environment, Enforcement & Housing Committee.

• That if agreed, the proposal is referred to the Council’s Policy, Resources and Economic Development Committee for approval.

An excerpt of the Minutes of the Environment, Enforcement & Housing Committee are as per Appendix A. The Committee approved the recommendations unanimously.

The Council owns a range of garage sites across the Borough, including those that are disused and hard to let.  Members previously agreed that Officers should identify the potential redevelopment of sites that provided an immediate opportunity for new affordable housing.

Officers had identified two potential sites. One site is at Brookfield Close, Hutton and the second at Sir Francis Way, which is located in Brentwood, very close to the Town Centre. Both sites provide excellent potential for redevelopment.

At the Community, Health & Housing Committee on the 5th March 2019, delegated authority was approved for the Housing Services Manager to commission an architect to prepare a feasibility report for both sites to establish the viability of each which will outline potential on both sites, and inform in terms of quantum and tenure mix.

Cllr Tumbridge MOVED and Cllr Mrs Hones SECONDED the recommendations in the report.

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

1.    That the Policy, Resources and Economic Development Committee formally approves delegated authority for the Housing Services Manager in consultation with the Chair and/or Vice Chair of Environment, Enforcement and Housing Committee to submit outline planning permission for both sites at Brookfield Close, Hutton and Sir Francis Way.

2.    That the Policy, Resources and Economic Development Committee formally approves that the feasibility report  outcomes are reported to the next appropriate Environment, Enforcement & Housing Committee.

Reasons for Recommendation

The mechanism proposed front-loads the procedure for allocating RTB monies to site-specific construction projects with outline planning proposals, without Committee approval at the initial stage. It will allow for a more streamlined and efficient method of retaining the RTB monies for use within the Borough.

Option 1 is recommended as the most transparent option for the Council and supports the ‘Getting our House in Order’ transformation programme for Housing Services. It works towards ensuring financial stability and revenue protection.