Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: September 10, 2025

Purpose: Recommendation to resolve to use CPO powers to ensure vacant possession of the first demolition block

Content: DECISION: The Cabinet agreed to:   i. Approve the making of the Order (draft Order and Schedule (phases 0-1) included at Appendix 1) to acquire all land and rights within the land edged red on the Order Map (draft Order Map included Appendix 2), comprising Wadham House, for housing purposes pursuant to the powers contained in section 17 of the Housing Act 1985. The Order will enable the Council to demolish Wadham House and construct new housing accommodation on the site, and adjacent Council owned land, so as to achieve a quantitative and qualitative housing gain following confirmation of the Order. ii. Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Housing and Regeneration in consultation with the Director of Law and Governance as follows: a. To make all necessary changes, as appropriate to the draft Statement of Reasons (included at Appendix 3) and any adjustment to the Order Schedule and Order Map and take all necessary steps to make, serve and implement the Order, to pursue its confirmation by the Inspector, Secretary of State (or the Council) and to implement the Order as may be necessary (these steps are set out in sections 47 - 58 of this report); b. To finalise and confirm the Order documents prior to making the Order; c. To make General Vesting Declarations (‘GVD’s’) under the Compulsory Purchase (Vesting Declarations) Act 1981 and/or to serve notices to treat and notices of entry (if required) following confirmation of the Order; d. To issue and serve any warrants to obtain possession of property acquired by the Council following the execution of a GVD or service of a notice of entry relating to the Order if it is considered appropriate and necessary to do so; and e. To acquire third party interests in the land within the Order either by agreement or compulsorily. iii. Approve the appropriation of the land edged red on the plan attached at Appendix 4 of this report for planning purposes to enable delivery of phases 0 - 1 of the Estate masterplan, pursuant to section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972, subject to: a. Secretary of State consent being granted, pursuant to section 19 (2) of the Housing Act 1985; and b. the Council being registered as the owner of the freehold interest in the land shaded blue on the plan attached at Appendix 4. If any of the land shaded blue cannot be registered, delegate authority to the Executive Director of Housing and Regeneration to remove any of the land shaded blue from the extent of the land to be appropriated. iv. Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Housing and Regeneration to consider any representations made in response to the land appropriation statutory consultation process, and to decide whether to continue with the appropriation in light of any representations received. If the decision is made to proceed with appropriation, section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 may then be engaged to override any rights or covenants (to which section 203 applies). v. Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Housing and Regeneration to approve the payment of any statutory compensation that may be due to affected parties if section 203 powers are engaged. vi. Note the following Key Decisions relating to the Joyce and Snell’s Estate Regeneration project which were approved by the Strategic Director of Housing and Regeneration: a. KD5759 19th July 2024 - Appointment of a Principal Contractor at Joyce Avenue and Snell’s Park at first stage tender to deliver an enabling works contract and pre-contract services agreement design package and second stage tender estimate. b. KD5614 21st February 2024 - To approve that the Council enter into a Land Fund Grant Agreement with the Greater London Authority (‘GLA’) and accept the allocation sum of £50m to acquire resident, non-resident leaseholder and freeholder interests across the two estates, for the purposes of enabling the Joyce and Snell’s regeneration programme.