Issue - meetings

Wessex Fields - Proposed Land Disposal

Meeting: 10/02/2021 - Cabinet (Item 300)

300 Wessex Fields - Proposed Land Disposal pdf icon PDF 237 KB

On 16 December 2020 Cabinet agreed in principle to dispose of part of the Wessex Fields site to the adjoining landowner University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with Bournemouth University, to deliver their proposal for a strategically relevant development with a focus on Medical technology, medical research and education. Cabinet authorised officers to negotiate the heads of terms for the disposal.

It is proposed that circa 5.65 acres of the site is sold to University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust, leaving the Council with circa 8.95 acres of remaining land.

The purchase price has taken into consideration an obligation on BCP Council to design, fund and build a new junction into the site from Deansleigh Road and a new access road from the A338.

The terms of the disposal have been agreed between the parties and are outlined in the confidential appendix to this report.

Progressing with this disposal will still enable BCP Council to develop the remainder of the Wessex Fields site in line with the preferred use themes, and in the most strategically beneficial way to the conurbation and local community and supports the Council’s desire to work with the NHS Trusts.

Additional documents:

Decision:

RECOMMENDED that Council:-

(a)           agree to dispose of approximately 5.65 acres of land at Wessex Fields, as outlined in blue on the attached plan in Appendix 1, to University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust for the purchase price detailed in the confidential appendix to this report;

(b)           agrees to construct the new access road (including junctions) into the site shown on the attached plans in Appendix 3 and 4;

(c)           delegates authority to the Corporate Property Officer in consultation with the Portfolio holder, Monitoring Officer and Section 151 Officer to finalise the detailed terms of the disposal;

(d)           amend the 2021/22 Capital programme to include an allocation as detailed in the confidential appendix to fund the road/junction works to enable the development of this land;

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning

 

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'E' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet were reminded that on 16 December 2020 Cabinet agreed in principle to dispose of part of the Wessex Fields site to the adjoining landowner University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with Bournemouth University, to deliver their proposal for a strategically relevant development with a focus on Medical technology, medical research and education, and that Cabinet had authorised officers to negotiate the heads of terms for the disposal.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that it is proposed that circa 5.65 acres of the site is sold to University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust, leaving the Council with circa 8.95 acres of remaining land.

Cabinet were advised that the purchase price has taken into consideration an obligation on BCP Council to design, fund and build a new junction into the site from Deansleigh Road and a new access road from the A338, and that the terms of the disposal have been agreed between the parties and are outlined in the confidential appendix to this report.

Further to this Cabinet were informed that progressing with this disposal will still enable BCP Council to develop the remainder of the Wessex Fields site in line with the preferred use themes, and in the most strategically beneficial way to the conurbation and local community and supports the Council’s desire to work with the NHS Trusts.

Councillor Lawrence Williams addressed the Cabinet expressing his support for the proposal as Ward Member.

RECOMMENDED that Council:-

(a)          agree to dispose of approximately 5.65 acres of land at Wessex Fields, as outlined in blue on the attached plan in Appendix 1, to University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust for the purchase price detailed in the confidential appendix to this report;

(b)          agrees to construct the new access road (including junctions) into the site shown on the attached plans in Appendix 3 and 4;

(c)          delegates authority to the Corporate Property Officer in consultation with the Portfolio holder, Monitoring Officer and Section 151 Officer to finalise the detailed terms of the disposal;

(d)          amend the 2021/22 Capital programme to include an allocation as detailed in the confidential appendix to fund the road/junction works to enable the development of this land;

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning