Agenda item

PROVISION OF HOUSING AND LIBRARY IMPROVEMENT WORKS IN WEST WICKHAM TOWN CENTRE

Minutes:

Report HPR2021/059

 

The report summarised the RIBA Stages 0-3 work undertaken in relation to the site of West Wickham Library and Station Road car park in West Wickham and set out the options for the site, in order to seek a decision from Members. The Renewal, Recreation and Housing Portfolio Holder commented that this was a superb plan to make use of the car park site, which was currently under-used, and the disused toilets, to provide an  enhanced library facility and much needed affordable housing.

 

It was confirmed that Greenwich Leisure had been involved in the design of the new library – this would provide additional space for business and community use, a café and public toilet facilities. Questions had been raised about the parking surveys, but it was confirmed that as well as the survey in November 2019, a survey had been conducted after lockdown ended in July but before the school term ended. The scheme was scheduled to finish by September 2023 – provision would be made for a temporary library facility while the development took place.

 

A small addition to the recommendations was agreed to add the words “and any other appropriation” (see (9) below).

 

RESOLVED that the report be noted and theExecutive be recommended to

 

(1) Review the RIBA Stages 0-3 work undertaken proposing the redevelopment of the library and Station Road Car Park sites for housing, the expansion of the library, public realm improvements and the adoption of a service road to provide access.

 

(2) Recommend that Council approves the addition of the scheme to the Capital Programme at an estimate of £9,641k (note that this is the scheme cost, not the cost to the Council.)

 

(3) Recommend that Council approves the financing of the scheme as set out in paragraph 10.8 of the report, including an internal loan from the General Fund to the Housing Revenue Account of £2,147k.

 

(4) Approve the rent levels of the affordable housing at London Affordable Rent (LAR) levels to utilise the GLA Building Homes for Londoners Grant.

 

(5) Approve the undertaking of the adoption of the service road off Croft Avenue which is required for access to the scheme.

 

(6) Approve that the spend of £173k to date, which is included in the capital scheme costs, is retained in the Housing Investment Fund earmarked reserve.

 

(7) Approve the utilisation of £356k Section 106 contributions towards the affordable housing element of the proposals.

 

(8) To delegate approval to proceed to procurement for the design and build works contract at the end of RIBA Stage 4 with an estimated value of £8M to the Director of Housing, Planning, Property and Regeneration in consultation with the Renewal, Recreation and Housing Portfolio Holder, noting that a contract award will be coming back to Committee.

 

(9) Delegate authority to the Director of Housing, Planning, Property and Regeneration in consultation with the Director of Corporate Services and the Director of Finance to appropriate the affordable housing element of the site on completion of the construction works from planning purposes to housing within the Housing Revenue Account, and any other appropriation

 

(10) Note that the land appropriation value to the 0HRA of the affordable housing element of the site has been independently valued at £260k.

 

(11) Note that the Council is foregoing a potential capital receipt of £1,270k from the housing part of the site, for the development to continue in line with the recommendations, and to achieve the Temporary Accommodation savings and a new library.

Supporting documents: