Members of the Committee are requested to bring their copy of the agenda for the Executive meeting on
Minutes:
The Committee considered the following reports on the Part 1 agenda for the meeting of the Executive on 18th September 2019:
(6) TACKLING LONLINESS SUMMIT
The Committee considered a summary of the Summit commissioned by the Leader of the Council on the issue of tackling loneliness held during National Loneliness Week 2019 and the outcomes from the Summit. Over 120 delegates attended the summit and contributed wholeheartedly to its intended objectives. The summit enabled local organisations and services to connect those at risk of loneliness, focusing particularly on intergenerational activity for new mums, care leavers and older people. A well facilitated ‘market place’ hosted community groups in the Grand Hall, supporting summit delegates to network and share ideas; the intention to facilitate, enable and encourage an active community sector. Ultimately the summit intended on facilitating a conversation around loneliness to raise awareness and reduce stigma. The summit celebrated considerable attendance and positive evaluations and feedback.
RESOLVED: That the Executive be recommended to note the activities that took place at the Loneliness Summit and its outcomes.
(12) DISPOSAL OF Y BLOCKS – DECISION TO DISPOSE OF OPEN SPACE AND TO APPROPRIATE THE LAND AND BUILDINGS FROM OFFICE TO HOME USE UNDER SECTION 232 OF THE TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990
Report DRR 19/045
On 11th July 2018, the Executive resolved that the Y Blocks should be disposed of and further resolved on 30th April 2019 to accept an unconditional offer from a purchaser (identified in the Executive Part 2 Report of 30th April 2019) for the freehold title of the Y Blocks and associated land. As part of the Y Blocks and associated land comprised of open space the Council had advertised its intention to the disposal of the open space land in a local newspaper for two consecutive weeks. The Council had also advertised its intention to appropriate the Y Blocks and associated land for residential use in accordance with the Town and Country Planning Legislation. The Executive resolved on 30th April 2019 that the Y Blocks and associated land were to be appropriated from office to housing use. As that resolution was made in reference to an internal Report, this report-re-affirmed that Resolution in a public format. A number of objections were received in respect of both advertisements’ and the report before the Committee considered these with appropriate responses to mitigate concerns raised.
The Committee noted that on Tuesday 10th September Bromley Town Ward Councillors had held a drop in session to enable residents to come along and express their views.
In response to a question concerning issues around access the Head of Asset and Investment confirmed that the development site had been marketed as having access to the Park from Rafford Way. From Stockwell Close the current access arrangements would remain.
A Member sought clarification surrounding the de-designation of the land as Urban Open Space and sought assurances that due process had been followed. In response the Director of Corporate Services explained that there were two separate processes in place. However, it was important to note that the Area Action Plan and the Local Plan had listed the ‘Y blocks’ as developmental land. Members of the Committee questioned whether the curtilage had also been included in the Local Plan, highlighting that it was the loss of the Park space that was causing concern. The importance of ensuring that all options to retain the Park had been considered. The Head of Asset and Investment confirmed that the site defined in the map appended to the report was the site defined in the Local Plan. The Committee was reminded that the proposal was for the disposal of the freehold. Once the freehold was sold the only influence the Council could have over the site was through the planning process. Members were ensured that the intention of the preferred bidder was clear, that they were looking to develop the land for residential purposes, and due diligence had been carried out on the preferred bidder with nothing to indicate that the land would be developed in any other way. Members noted that when the site was marketed it was on the basis of the sale of the freehold. Any conditions attached to the sale would inevitably affect the value that could be achieved. The Head of Asset and Investment did however agree that there was nothing preventing a further conversation with the preferred bidder to secure a commitment to retain the Park in order to address the concerns that had been expressed.
The Committee agreed the following additional recommendations:
That:
1.A timeline of events highlighting if and when a change to the Urban Open Space may have occurred and the explicit clause that stated that it was no longer Urban Open Space be presented to the Executive; and
2. Officers be asked to speak with the preferred bidder to seek the protection of Green Space and biodiversity on the site and report back to the Executive.
RESOLVED: That
1. A timeline of events highlighting if and when a change to the Urban Open Space may have occurred and the explicit clause that stated that it was no longer Urban Open Space be presented to the Executive;
2. Officers be asked to speak with the preferred bidder to seek the protection of Green Space and biodiversity on the site and report back to the Executive on 18th September 2019.
3. Subject to the outcome of further investigations the Executive be recommended to:
a) Note that the Council has advertised the intention to dispose the open space land together with the intention to appropriate the buildings and land to residential use in both cases for two consecutive weeks in accordance with the relevant Legislation.
b) Consider the objections made together with the responses’ to these contained within the Report and formally agree to the Disposal of the Open Space Land.
c)Consider the objections made together with the responses’ to these contained within the Report and formally agrees to the appropriation of the buildings and land to residential use.