Decision details

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Local Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources and Workforce Planning,  seeking authority to dispose of land at Rope Walk, Derby Road, subject to the outcome of further consultation on options for the land with the local community.

This decision was deferred from 18^th January 2010 Cabinet for further consultation on alternative ideas and/or options other than housing.

(i)  To agree to dispose of the site at Rope Walk, Derby Rd to facilitate the provision of a community facility and retention of the community garden.

(ii)  If negotiated agreement for disposal for community use, in accordance with recommendation (i) cannot be reached, to agree disposal for affordable housing use.

(iii)  In the event that recommendations (i) and (ii) cannot be achieved, to agree disposal on the open market.

(iv)  To determine that the disposal will contribute to the improvement of social well-being of residents.

(v)  Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Resources following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources and Workforce Planning and the Cabinet Member for Housing and Local Services, the Executive Director of Neighbourhoods and the Solicitor to the Council, to agree detailed terms of the disposal in line with the parameters set out in the Appendix to this report.

(vi)  Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Neighbourhoods following consultation with the Cabinet Member for housing and Local Services, Solicitor to the Council, Head of finance and Head of Property and Procurement to agree the future management arrangements for the Community Garden.

(vii)  Delegate authority to the Solicitor to the Council, following consultation with the Executive Director of Neighbourhoods and Executive Director of Resources to do anything necessary to give effect to the proposals contained within this report.

The former Neighbourhood Advice Centre and car park was closed in May 2009 and the land is now surplus to Council requirements. Consultation of key stake holders has identified a desire to see the site used as a community facility. 

Sell the site in the open market immediately:  Whilst this option would generate a 100% usable capital receipt from the sale of the site, this might lead to development unsympathetic with the garden site at the rear of the property. It is not recommended that this option is pursued as this would not contribute to the provision of facility to benefit the local community. In the event that negotiations cannot secure this the provision of new affordable housing in the City to help meet the need for 1,391 new units of affordable housing per year identified in the Housing Needs Survey.