Issue details

Biggins Wood – Council Purchase of Affordable Housing

 

 

Following the decision to dispose of the Biggins Wood site and Cabinet’s approval of the HRA Business Plan the opportunity has arisen to purchase the affordable housing from the residential developer. This report sets out the opportunity which fits within the parameters of the HRA Business Plan and will deliver 24 new affordable homes to the Council.

Decision type: Key

Decision status: For Determination

Notice of proposed decision first published: 21/12/2023

General exception notice

This item is subject to the General Exception procedure required by The Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012. It is proposed to take a key decision on the date shown on the title page of this Forward Plan. It would be impracticable to defer the decision until the publicity requirements for key decisions can be met. This notice has been issued by the Chief Executive and sent to the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Reason for urgency:
The opportunity was only presented to the Council late last week and the developer has another provider lined up to take the affordable homes. Officers have had to move quickly to assess the scheme’s viability and suitability for the HRA. Officers will be submitting an offer to secure the homes subject to Cabinet approval and Council approval of the HRA budget.

Exempt information notice

It is anticipated that this report will contain information which is exempt from publication and during discussion of this information the public may be excluded from the meeting. View the reasons for the exemption

Representations on exempt information

If you wish to make representations that the public should not be excluded from the meeting during discussion of this item, please email Committee Services at committee@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk, stating the reasons why you think the discussion should be held in public.

Lead member: Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Otterpool Park and Planning Policy

Lead director: Director - Housing and Operations

Contact: Gill Butler, Chief Officer - Housing Email: gill.butler@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk.