Purpose

To seek Cabinet approval of a scheme budget
for the site's redevelopment, and authority to enter into a
contract for the construction of 6no. dwellings.

Content

Exempt Paragraph
3
Information relating to the
financial or business affairs of any particular person (including
the authority holding that information)

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet:

 

a)            
delegates authority to the Head of Crawley Homes and
the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, for the
appointment of a building contractor at the Tilgate Youth Centre
site, using a suitable building contract following an appropriate
procurement process, subject to planning permission being
granted.
(Generic
Delegation 3 will be used to enact this recommendation).
 

b)            
delegates the negotiation, approval and completion
of all relevant documentation, including legal paperwork, to the
Head of Crawley Homes, in consultation with the Head of Governance,
People and Performance and the Head of Corporate
Finance.
(Generic
Delegations 2 & 3 will be used to enact this
recommendation).

 

 
That Full
Council be recommended to approve the proposed
scheme’s budget - stated under sections 6.7 and 6.12 within
the report, which includes approving the appropriation of land from
the General Fund to the Housing Revenue Account at a value of
£175,000 (as identified in 7.5) - for the delivery of six
affordable residential units (flats) at the Tilgate Youth Centre
site, Shackleton Road
 

Reasons for
Recommendations

a.       
With its obligation to satisfy housing
demand in the borough, and its statutory duty towards its residents
that are in housing need - who cannot afford to buy or rent on the
private market, the Council is required to pursue the development
of new affordable housing in order to meet this demand.

b.       
Despite the constraints which accompany
the site, it is considered to be highly suitable for low-density
residential development within a well-established neighbourhood
setting. 

 

c.       
If developed, the site would also become home to the
Council’s third ‘own build’, fully certified
Passivhaus scheme – joining the likes of previously delivered
schemes at Gales Place, Three Bridges, and Dobbins Place, Ifield
West, whilst maintaining the Council’s drive to reach (carbon
emissions) net zero by 2040.

d.       
In addition to the above, the introduction of
further homes designed and built to Passivhaus standards will help
drive up energy efficiency, while significantly lowering energy
bills for occupants – many of whom may have experienced fuel
poverty during previous tenancies.