Purpose

The Housing Growth and
Regeneration team have agreed with Thirteen Group to extend the
option agreement dates on 2 sites (Main Avenue and Highmoor Lane)
which are parcelled in the RP Clusters Programme. The extension is
required due to delays faced to the programme and to allow for
contingency period.

There is a risk that if the expiry dates of the Option agreements
are not extended, Thirteen Group will not be in
a position to exercise the option before their expiry and
therefore being unable to proceed with their purchase and
development of the sites.
 
For Main Avenue and Highmoor
Lane the below extensions have been agreed, whilst further
discussions are being had regarding Mayman Lane
 

Site

Expiry Date

Proposed Extension Date

Rationale

Main Avenue

30th July 2025

30th April 2026

Start on site date plus 3 months

Highmoor
Lane

29th August 2025

30th June 2026

Start on site date plus 3 months

 
Cabinet decision from July 2022 which delegated authority to the
Strategic Director (Growth and Regeneration) to negotiate and agree
the terms of disposal with Thirteen Group
 
(Registered
Providers Cluster Programme Cabinet I FINAL SENT TO
GOVERNANCE.pdf)
 

Content

Decision to allow Thirteen
Group a period of contingency by extending the expiry dates of the
Option agreements in the event that any
delays are encountered gaining Planning Permission, agreeing
valuations and disposal terms agreed by relevant boards, which are
all necessary for Thirteen to exercise the Option
agreements.
 
This decision is in the best interests to
support the decision which was made at Cabinet to dispose the RP
clusters sites to Thirteen Group to bring forward high quality,
affordable and sustainable homes on five sites across the district.
The Council’s preferred partner is Thirteen Group, who are a
strategic partner of Homes England, as part of Home’s
England’s programme which supports registered providers
(housing associations) to deliver more affordable homes. Thirteen
Group were appointed by the Council following a competitive land
sale exercise.