Meeting documents

Weymouth & Portland Borough Council Management Committee
Tuesday, 18th April, 2017 9.30 am

Meeting of Weymouth & Portland Borough Council Management Committee, Tuesday, 18th April, 2017 9.30 am (Item 150.)

To consider a report of the Interim Senior Estates Surveyor

Decision:

(a) That the tranche of sites, listed below for disposal, following an Asset Management Plan asset review be agreed;

Land at Park Road, Portland

Land at Reap Lane, Portland

Land at Croft Road, Portland

Land at 29 Artists Row, Portland

Former public conveniences, Lord Clyde car Park, Portland

Land at New Street, Portland

Land at Brandy Row, Portland

Land at Roman Road/Spa Road, Weymouth

Land at 52, 68, 70, & 74 old Castle Road, Weymouth

Land at 1A Chaffey’s Avenue, Weymouth

Land at Knighsdale Road, Weymouth

Hetherley Road, Weymouth

Land at Radipole land, Weymouth

(b) That the sites for disposal be considered in the first instance for the Accelerating Home Building programme where this is possible and relevant;

(c) That the final agreement for the disposal of the sites be delegated to the Strategic Director (Martin Hamilton), in consultation with the Finance and Asset Brief holder.

Minutes:

The committee considered a report seeking support for the disposal of various sites that were surplus to requirements or with development potential. It was noted that those sites with development potential should be considered in the first instance for the Accelerating Home Building Programme.

Councillor S West addressed that committee and expressed her surprise and concern regarding the proposed sale of land in Portland as some sites were relatively small. She asked the committee the following questions: - When did the borough council acquire the sites?, why had there been no communication or consultation with community groups and Portland Town Council? How did the sale of the land fit with the agreed Neighbourhood Plan? She felt that the proposal was stripping assets from Portland that could be better used than for development.

In response the Chairman advised that the land was probably passed to the council as part local government reorganisation of 1974 and the proceeds would be part of the council’s capital receipt and allow for a reduction in current maintenance. The Strategic Director advised that the land was small and outside of the Local Plan Policy.

Councillor P Kimber advised that the proposal to sale land in Portland, in particular, the land at Artist Row would be detrimental to the local street scene and this needed to remain an open space. Before making a decision, he asked members to consult with Portland Town Council due to the sensitivity of some of these sites.

Councillor Nowak asked the committee to think carefully about stripping assets from Portland when some of this land could be leased or transferred to Portland Town Council. He advised members that much of the land was not suitable for housing and sought a deferment, so that the land appropriate for the Accelerating Home Building Programme could be identified prior to a decision being made by the committee.

In response the Chairman reminded members that there was a short timetable prior to reorganisation for this council to make an impact. He further advised that the land sale was part of the asset management programme and ensured the best use of the councils assets.

As part of the discussion Councillor Farquharson read out a letter from residents on behalf of Councillor Nixon. It was proposed by Councillor J cant seconded by Councillor K Brookes

Decision