Issue - meetings

Councillor Cathy Martyn, the Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Safety, and the Corporate Director of Communities and Housing submitted a joint report seeking approval from Cabinet to allocate the proposed housing site at Bromley Close in order for the Council, through the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), to continue developing social housing for the residents of Swindon. The joint report note that the identified site has been selected following Member engagement and the initial undertaking of due diligence by the Council’s Planning Department in terms of constraints. In addition, the joint report sought to inform Cabinet of the intended development of the site at Windmill Hill and how this would be brought forward, as well as to provide an update for Members on the intention of developing an options appraisal regarding a High-Rise strategy within the Walcot and Park North Wards.

Councillor Emma Bushell asked the Cabinet Member questions regarding the number of council properties that might be provided, the possible tenancy mix, the design, the engagement with ward members, tenants, and leaseholders, and the need to keep the same level of maintenance, especially in the high rise blocks.  Councillor Cathy Martyn responded at the meeting.

Resolved:-

1.    That the allocation of the land at Bromley Close, detailed on the plan attached at Appendix 1 to the joint report, be approved as a future housing development site to be delivered through the HRA.

2.    That the Head of Property Assets in consultation with the Chief Legal Office be delegated the authority to take all necessary steps to appropriate the land at Windmill Hill, detailed on the plan attached as Appendix 2 to the joint report, from the General Fund to the HRA at a value to be determined, to enable it to be developed through the HRA with potential collaboration with the Swindon Housing Company.

3.    That a budget of £50K be approved, to be allocated from the HRA, to progress the detailed feasibility and design for the sites at Bromley Close and Windmill Hill, as well as the work to progress the development of Milverton and Torrington Courts

The reasons for the decision and alternative options are as set out in the report to the meeting.