Is it possible other members are beginning to question the autocrratic style of the Leader?Agenda itemCouncil Housing Building Programme UpdateMeeting of Affordable Housing Committee, Tuesday, 5 January 2021 6:30 pm (Item 18.)Report by Councillor Steve Curran, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Corporate Strategy, Planning and Regeneration. Minutes:Please see the report by Councillor Steve Curran,Leader of the Council andCabinet Member for Corporate Strategy, Planning and Regeneration (agenda item 2) Andrew Smith, Assistant Director Housing, Development & Supply, presented the report and gave an overview of the key points to consider. He advised that three of the four development schemes had been submitted for planning determination, the exception being Clements Court which was due to be submitted later in January. Mr Smith stated that there was a typographical error in paragraph 16 (page 21) of the report, reading “start on sites commencing summer 2024.” This should read “summer 2021.” Following questions from Committee members, Mr Smith also advised that the recommendations on appropriating the land for planning purposes was required to amend legal interests in the land to a right to compensation. The Heathrow flight path touched one edge of the site at Clements Court but did not prevent building on the site. The Council owned car park at Orchard Road would have to be closed before development commenced. Members expressed approval of the carbon neutral scheme and asked why this was not always possible. Mr Smith advised that it was relatively easy for small developments of houses but much less so for larger developments and/or blocks of flats. The 94% targeted on the remaining schemes was extremely good, however with improved technology he had no doubt this could be bettered. Cllr Lily Bath was very positive about training for tenants to make the most of low carbon development and Mr Smith stated that it was vital that the right level of engagement with prospective tenants was achieved to ensure that the tenants get the best out of the energy efficiencies within their home, which was the aim of the training. Cllr Steve Curran asked for homes provided by the Council to be called “council housing” rather than being lumped together with other forms of social housing as Hounslow were among London’s top builders of council homes, which he believed was a matter of great pride for the authority that should be publicised. Peter Matthew agreed, while stressing the need to be careful that the term was only used correctly, for council provided social housing. Members considered the report and all the issues contained therein and the recommendations were agreed unanimously. Resolved: Regarding the following schemes within the approved Council Housing Building Programme: That the Affordable Housing Committee: 1. approved the demolition and redevelopment of Everglades, Hounslow to create 33 new homes at a total scheme cost detailed in confidential Appendix 1; 2. approved the closure of the public car park at the corner of Windmill Road/Orchard Road, Brentford to deliver a fully Zero Carbon scheme. This scheme will create 5 family houses at a total cost detailed in confidential Appendix 1; 3. approved the development of 74 homes at Clements Court, Hounslow for a total scheme cost detailed in confidential Appendix 1; 4. approved the demolition and redevelopment of 57-66 and 67-73 Rose Gardens, and garage court between 9-16 and 17-28 Rose Gardens, Feltham to create 42 new homes at a total scheme cost detailed in confidential Appendix 1; 5. authorised the Executive Director of Housing Planning and Communities in consultation with the Lead Member for Corporate Strategy, Planning and Regeneration, to appropriate the garage/parking areas within schemes 1-4 above for planning purposes, once planning permission has been determined, for development. The purposes of each appropriation, made pursuant to Section 122 Local Government Act 1972 and Section 19 Housing Act 1985, is to engage Section 203 Housing and Planning Act 2016, which converts any private third-party rights (other than rights belonging to public utilities or rights of a public nature), which might otherwise impede redevelopment, into a right to compensation; 6. granted delegated authority to the Executive Director of Housing, Planning and Communities, in consultation with the Lead Member for Corporate Strategy, Planning and Regeneration, to undertake the necessary legal processes to deliver the proposals; to finalise the terms of the works contracts; extend current consultant appointments if required, to progress the planning, tendering and construction phases in accordance with the Council’s contract standing orders; 7. granted delegated authority to the Executive Director of Environment, Culture and Customer Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport and One Hounslow, to initiate and take all legal steps required to close the Windmill Road/Orchard Road car park; 8. granted delegated authority to the Executive Director of Environment, Culture and Customer Services to initiate such legal steps as may be required to extinguish or divert any highway or other public rights which might otherwise impede development in accordance with the Council’s own constitution and other statutory requirement. Transfer of Council Small Sites Regarding the transfer of small sites the Affordable Housing Committee: 9. approved the transfer of ownership of 15 small sites listed in Appendix 2 – Small Sites Programme from the Council to various Registered Providers. The transfer of the sites will be on the condition that the Registered Provider will develop the sites for 100% social housing, which will be available to the Council to help meet housing needs in perpetuity; 10.granted delegated authority to the Executive Director of Housing, Planning and Communities, in consultation with the Lead Member for Corporate Strategy, Planning and Regeneration, to agree the final terms and conditions of each small sites transfer. Action: Housing provided by the Council for Council social rent to be accurately called Council Housing. Correction: The start date for work is summer 2021, not 2024 as stated in the report.Supporting documents:AHC Council Housing Build Programme Update 5th Jan 20 final, item 18. pdf icon PDF 341 KBRestricted enclosure View the reasons why document 18./2 is restrictedAHC Council Housing Build Programme Update Jan 2021 Appendicies 2 to 6, item 18. pdf icon PDF 5 MB Legal NoticesHow to use this websiteFeedbackSite PerformanceAccessibility© Copyright London Borough of Hounslow 2008
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