Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Members for Housing Services and Strategic Growth and Skills is attached.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, Cabinet Member for Strategic Growth and Skills, presented the report which sought approval to dispose of the Pyramid Park site as part of the Accelerated Land Disposals Programme in order for the BLRF bid to be progressed for housing, complementing adjacent sites and meeting intergenerational housing needs as identified in the Housing Strategy. Members voiced their ambition for zero carbon developments and the inclusion of nesting bricks.

Decision:

Cabinet:

1.    Approved the proposals for the disposal Pyramid Park as set out within this report, to expedite delivery of the priorities within the Housing Strategy and Town Centre Masterplan;

2.    Delegated the finalised terms of the procurement exercise and disposal to the Council's Section 151 Officer, Head of Law & Democratic Services and Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Director of Housing and Cabinet Member for Housing Services; and

3.    Noted that a further report will come to Cabinet should a successful funding award be made. The report will set out the proposed disposal method and planning strategy.

Reasons for the decision:

·         To support Bury’s Brownfield Release funding bid by approving the site for housing development, providing funders with confidence the site has the necessary approval for disposal.

·         To facilitate the Councils ‘brownfield first’ approach to housing delivery and reduce liability for holding long-term disused sites.

·         To facilitate delivery of the Housing Strategy 2021 and wider Town Centre Masterplan which details the need for high quality aspirational homes.

·         To attract and retain young adults and young professionals to Bury.

·         To unlock a key opportunity site for the town centre.

·         To promote innovation and ensure that the Council meets the obligations of the best value requirements of s123 of the Local Government Act 1972.

·         To create wider social, environmental and financial benefits including additional council tax revenue.

Other options considered and rejected:

·         Do nothing: Bury has high levels of need for housing in general and both young and older people specifically require town centre housing provision. This is a brownfield site deemed suitable for housing in an area of high demand, to do nothing would not be an option.

·         Remediate the site for office/educational. There is currently low demand for stand-alone office development post-Covid and there are sites with stronger characteristics for this type of use in and around the town centre. In addition, there is no capital funds available to remediate the land for this use.