To be moved by Councillor Hug and seconded by Councillor Less.
"The Council notes the recent Church Street Master Plan consultation exercise. It notes a number of positive aspects of the current proposals, including ideas to improve the local public realm and support the future development of the market. It however notes resident concern over the current housing proposals and the need to improve the Council’s offer to local people on this critical issue before any scheme proceeds.
The Council believes that the regeneration of Church Street is a strategic priority for Westminster and an important opportunity to improve the lives of our residents. It believes the regeneration must prioritise the needs of existing local residents, while also focusing on providing new opportunities for Westminster residents in housing need and for local people and families on or below average incomes as desired by a majority of respondents to the Masterplan consultation.
It notes the recent Church Street Master Plan consultation exercise. It notes a number of positive aspects of the current proposals, including ideas to improve the local public realm and support the future development of the market. It however notes resident concern over the current housing proposals and the need to improve the Council’s offer to local people on this critical issue before any scheme proceeds.
It further believes that if the Council is to deliver the number of social and genuinely affordable homes that Westminster needs it is essential that the council maximises the proportion of public housing built on public land.
The Council resolves to ask the Cabinet to urgently revise the masterplan in-order to move swiftly forward with a plan that commands wider public support. The council resolves to:
· Redraft the proposals to better take into account concerns raised by the Church Street Ward Neighbourhood Forum and other residents during the initial consultation phase.
· Look at ways to limit the amount of demolition being proposed to levels more in-line with residents wishes.
· Review the current assumptions on the potential height of the proposed new blocks.
· Amend the housing mix in the development sites identified in the 2012 Futures Plan that are being brought to planning in 2018 in-order to increase the amount of social housing in these schemes thereby expanding the amount of local decant opportunities to assist with the delivery of these new proposals.
· Enshrine a commitment to replace not only existing council homes but where possible any Westminster owned temporary accommodation units with a like for like replacement.
· Ensure that the plan requires at least 50% of the additional units built are social or genuinely affordable homes, at least 60% of which should be social units in-line with Westminster’s existing policy framework.
· Develop an effective local lettings strategy that gives priority to Church Street residents.
· Ballot residents impacted by the scheme before the masterplan is implemented. "
Minutes:
The Minority Party had selected for debate the Notice of Motion as set out on the agenda. The Notice of Motion was moved by Councillor Adam Hug and seconded by Councillor Aicha Less.
Councillor Rachael Robathan moved and it was seconded by Councillor Murad Gassanly that the Notice of Motion be amended, as follows:
Delete first paragraph and second paragraph remains:
“The Council believes that the regeneration of Church Street is a strategic priority for Westminster and an important opportunity to improve the lives of residents. It believes the regeneration must prioritise the needs of existing local residents, while also focusing on providing new opportunities for Westminster residents in housing need and for local people and families on or below average incomes as desired by a majority of respondents to the Masterplan consultation”.
Then delete subsequent paragraphs and add:
“The Council commends the high level of engagement undertaken by the Consultation Team at 99 Church Street with residents, businesses and other stakeholders. It notes the need for active ongoing consultation engagement, as set out in the Mayor’s draft Regeneration guidelines. The wide ranging approach and well thought out consultation process was praised by the Housing and Finance Policy and Scrutiny Committee on 6th November and the Council welcomes this.
The Council notes that the masterplan sets out the framework for development in Church Street. It is not a final decision on any demolition proposal or new building locations or heights. The Council further notes that extensive analysis and consultation will be undertaken before the detail of the scale and scope of development proposals come forward.
The Council welcomes the increase in the proposed number of new homes from 776 in the 2012 Futures Plan to more than double (1750) in the current masterplan. This includes over 50% affordable housing to be offered as social rents, supporting the Mayor’s draft good practice guide for regeneration as well as the Council’s City for All vision. It also welcomes the other commitments in the masterplan, such as those around green space, health and well-being and community hubs.
The Council believes that it is a fundamental objective of the masterplan to address the current and future needs of the Church Street residents, this informed the brief to the masterplan team and will continue to be a fundamental objective and consideration as the detail plans progress”.
Following debate, to which Councillor Adam Hug replied, the Lord Mayor put the amendment moved by Councillor Robathan and seconded by Councillor Gassanly to the vote and on a show of hands declared the amendment CARRIED.
The Lord Mayor then put the substantive motion to the vote and on a show of hands declared the substantive motion CARRIED.
Resolved:
The Council believes that the regeneration of Church Street is a strategic priority for Westminster and an important opportunity to improve the lives of our residents. It believes the regeneration must prioritise the needs of existing local residents, while also focusing on providing new opportunities for Westminster residents in housing need and for local people and families on or below average incomes as desired by a majority of respondents to the Masterplan consultation.
The Council commends the high level of engagement undertaken by the Consultation Team at 99 Church Street with residents, businesses and other stakeholders. It notes the need for active ongoing consultation engagement, as set out in the Mayor’s draft Regeneration guidelines. The wide ranging approach and well thought out consultation process was praised by the Housing and Finance Policy and Scrutiny Committee on 6th November and the Council welcomes this.
The Council notes that the masterplan sets out the framework for development in Church Street, it is not a final decision on any demolition proposal or new building locations or heights. The Council further notes that extensive analysis and consultation will be undertaken before the detail of the scale and scope of development proposals come forward.
The Council welcomes the increase in the proposed number of new homes from 776 in the 2012 Futures Plan to more than double (1750) in the current masterplan. This includes over 50% affordable housing to be offered at social rents, supporting the Mayor’s draft good practice guide for regeneration as well as the Council’s City for All vision. It also welcomes the other commitments in the masterplan, such as those around green space, health and well-being and community hubs.
The Council believes that it is a fundamental objective of the masterplan to address the current and future needs of the Church Street residents, this informed the brief to the masterplan team and will continue to be a fundamental objective and consideration as the detail plans progress.