Agenda item

To consider and make a recommendation to Council in relation to the proposed initial disposal of the Freehold Interest of Ashford Victory Place, Ashford

The Committee considered a report from the Group Head – Assets on disposal options for Ashford Victory Place. Under Standing Order 35, the Chair allowed Group Leaders to attend and take part in the debate but not vote.

The Group Head – Assets advised the Committee that the recommendation to dispose of the Ashford Victory Place site had arisen over the past 12 – 15 months as part of the Development Delivery Strategy which set out timescales and the rationale for prioritisation. A full marketing exercise had been carried out and the offers received had been scored in line with the Development Delivery Strategy criteria to identify the preferred bidder. The proposal from the preferred bidder would be to proceed with the existing planning permission, for 127 units, with 22 of those being affordable.

The Committee queried how the proposed disposal of Ashford Victory Place and Thameside House aligned with the Local Plan and were advised that both sites were in the Local Plan Housing Trajectory for years 1 – 5, as such the proposals were in alignment.

The Committee expressed doubt that any affordable units would be included in the final development. Councillor Boughtflower suggested that any Community Infrastructure Levy funds from the development be ringfenced for projects in Stanwell. The Group Head Place, Protection and Prosperity advised that CIL funds should be spent where the development took place however decisions could only be made on the bids submitted.

The Committee requested that after any property sale a post-sale report is produced which would include a ‘lessons learnt’ section.

The Committee expressed disappointment over the limited amount of affordable units and queried if there was any way to progress the site with either more affordable or key worker units. The Group Head – Assets advised that two bids had been received which offered key worker housing or 100% affordable but both had conditions attached which made them unsuitable and neither offers had been able to secure a Registered Provider to partner with.

It was proposed by Councillor Boughtflower, seconded by Councillor Bateson and resolved to exclude the public and press for the following agenda items, in accordance with paragraph 3 of part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) because it was likely to disclose information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information because disclosure to the public would prejudice the financial position of the authority in being able to undertake even-handed negotiations and finalising acceptable contract terms.

The meeting was adjourned at 20:27

The meeting reconvened at 20:37

It was proposed by Councillor Bateson, seconded by Councillor Boughtflower and resolved to suspend Standing Order 38.3 to continue the meeting beyond three hours.

The Committee returned to open session.

Councillor Boughtflower requested a recorded vote. The Chair advised the Committee that the two recommendations from the report would be voted on separately.

Recommendation 1:

Committee resolved to not recommend to Council to approve the disposal of Ashford Victory Place in Ashford to the preferred bidders as set out in the appendices attached to the report

Recommendation 2:

Committee resolved to note the current marketing approach and offers received in relation to Thameside House, Staines which will form the basis of a further report to be brought to the Business, Infrastructure & Growth Committee in the early part of calendar year 2025.