Decision details

Cabinet Member approval sought for proposals.

1.      That Appendix A of this report be exempt from publication under Section 100 (A) (4) and Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) as it contains information which should be exempt from publication relating to the business and financial affairs of the authority.

2.      That the Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Regeneration approved Officers to:

·         Take forward option 3 as the Preferred Way Forward for Gayhurst House & 6-12 Lilestone Street.

·         To progress Gayhurst House and 6-12 Lilestone Street in conjunction with the wider programme of sites and return to the Cabinet Member with an Outline Business Case in autumn 2019.

·         Authorised Officers to enter into voluntary negotiations with residents and organisations and to spend the acquisitions budget to acquire all interests by agreement at open market value and offer compensation in line with the Council’s Policy for Leaseholders in Housing Renewal Areas.

Reasons for Decision 

1.    The Church Street/Edgeware Road Area is one of five priority estates identified in the Councils Housing Renewal Strategy (2010) as needing significant improvement and investment. In line with the City for All objectives and the Church Street Masterplan, the overarching objective of regenerating the Church Street ward is to bring about physical change that is sustainable and creates new and better homes, health and wellbeing services, economy and employment, public realm and open spaces to improve the lives of residents, business and visitors alike.

2.    The decisions requested in this report will enable the design of the chosen option to be progressed, informed by comments received from the consultation and to be developed into an Outline Business Case for consideration by the Cabinet Member in autumn 2019.

3.      To allow the Council as much time as possible to acquire interests by agreement and achieve vacant possession in accordance with the regeneration programme.

4.      Option 3 is viewed as the Preferred Way Forward following a period of resident consultation. It brings about the most beneficial changes when judged against the Evaluation Criteria (see Appendix E). This assessment incorporates an evaluation of Viability and the Masterplans 4 Key Themes; Homes, Health & Wellbeing, Market & Economy and Making Connections across all 3 options and is supported by:

·         Wide ranging consultation with the community including the Priorities Consultation and the Options Consultation;

·         Soft Market Testing with a broad range of potential delivery partners;

5.      Option 3 provides a compelling case in the public interest for regeneration following an extensive series of consultations including a dedicated Options Consultation.  Option 3 provides a total of 73 new homes, including 28 re-provided affordable homes and 16 new affordable homes in addition to improved public realm and open space opportunities. Further engagement is proposed with community groups and key stakeholders as the design is developed.