A report from the Director of Regeneration, Leisure and Culture is attached. This concerns development opportunity areas that are located within the boundaries of the Meridian Water Masterplan. (Report No.104, agenda part two also refers) (Key decision – reference number 3797)

(Report No.101)

(9.00 – 9.05 pm)

Neil Rousell (Director of Regeneration, Leisure and Culture) in the absence of Councillor Del Goddard (Cabinet Member for Business and Regeneration) introduced the report (No.101) concerning development opportunity areas that were located within the boundaries of the Meridian Water Masterplan.

NOTED

1.               That Report No.104 also referred as detailed in Minute No.26 below;

2.               The potential for the Council to acquire some land that was identified as being in the early phases of potential development in the Masterplan, as set out in the report.

3.               An amendment sheet which was circulated at the meeting which proposed an additional recommendation as detailed in decision 3 below and additional property implications to be added as paragraph 8.3.3 of the report set out below:

“The acquisition of property must comply with the property procedure rules, which requires that all acquisitions are approved by the Assistant Director Property Services in consultation with the relevant Portfolio holder”.

4.               Councillor Robert Hayward had requested an opportunity to speak on this item and Councillor Doug Taylor (Leader of the Council) invited him to address the Cabinet. Councillor Hayward praised the development opportunities and proposed land acquisition. However, he took this opportunity to express his views on the type of family accommodation that should be provided within the development with a focus on the provision of houses with gardens rather than flats. Members should aim to provide housing that they would be content to live in themselves.

5.               In response Councillor Doug Taylor (Leader of the Council) noted the views expressed and acknowledged the desire to provide as much space as possible within the viability of any development. Councillor Ahmet Oykener (Cabinet Member for Housing) highlighted and praised the Council’s existing housing regeneration developments progressing in Highmead and Alma.

6.               Members noted that the acquisition of the land in question could, “in principle”, be regarded as a strategic land acquisition that would help to enable the development of key sites within the Masterplan area, as set out in paragraph 5.2 of the report.

Alternative Options Considered: NOTED the options which had been considered as set out in full in section 6 of the report.

DECISION: The Cabinet

1.               Noted that there was the potential for the Council to acquire some land at Meridian Water that could support its regeneration agenda.

2.               Agreed that the potential acquisition of land that could assist the regeneration of Meridian Water be approved “in principle”, subject to appropriate terms and conditions being agreed.

3.               Noted that a further Cabinet report would be submitted to finalise the purchase of the site.

Reason: To provide a greater level of certainty over the timescales associated with the development of three early start sites in Meridian Water and their relationship with significant rail and education infrastructure, and to increase developer and stakeholder confidence in the delivery of the Masterplan.

(Key decision – reference number 3797)