Issue - meetings

Roeshot Hill land disposal

RECOMMENDED that Council: -
(a) note the confidential minutes and the recommendations of the Cross-Party Asset Disposal Working Group meeting held on the 13 June 2025.
(b) Approve the freehold disposal of the whole former nursery site to Meyrick Estate for the sum of £850,000 on an unconditional basis (Option 1) and on such terms to be approved by the Chief Financial Officer, also acting in his capacity as Corporate Property Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance.

[PLEASE NOTE: Should the Council wish to discuss the detail of the exempt Appendices at Appendix A & B it will be necessary to exclude the press and public and move into Confidential (Exempt) session]

Additional documents:

Appendix A - Roeshot Nursery Lyndhurst Road Christchurch - Confidential, 16/07/2025 Cabinet , View reasons restricted (8d/2)
Appendix B - 20250613 Asset WG Minutes - Confidential, 16/07/2025 Cabinet , View reasons restricted (8d/3)

Meeting: 16/07/2025 - Cabinet (Item 31)

31 Roeshot Nursery, Land Disposal PDF 243 KB

This report presents the proposal to dispose of the freehold of the former nursery site at Lyndhurst Road to Meyrick Estate for the sum of £850,000.

[PLEASE NOTE: Should the Cabinet wish to discuss the detail of the exempt Appendices at Appendix A & B it will be necessary to exclude the press and public and move into Confidential (Exempt) session]

Additional documents:

Appendix A - Roeshot Nursery Lyndhurst Road Christchurch - Confidential , View reasons restricted (31/2)
Appendix B - 20250613 Asset WG Minutes - Confidential , View reasons restricted (31/3)

Decision:

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

This report presents the proposal to dispose of the freehold of the former nursery site at Lyndhurst Road to Meyrick Estate for the sum of £850,000.

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(a) note the confidential minutes and the recommendations of the Cross-Party Asset Disposal Working Group meeting held on the 13 June 2025.

(b) Approve the freehold disposal of the whole former nursery site to Meyrick Estate for the sum of £850,000 on an unconditional basis (Option 1) and on such terms to be approved by the Chief Financial Officer, also acting in his capacity as Corporate Property Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Finance

Reason

To obtain approval for the disposal of the former nursery site at Lyndhurst Road.

Minutes:

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

Cabinet was advised that the report outlined the proposal to dispose of the freehold of the former Roeshot Nursery site at Lyndhurst Road to the Merick Estate for £850,000.

Cabinet was informed that the site was previously used as a plant nursery which was currently largely vacant and that it was considered surplus to the council’s needs.

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that the disposal aligned with the council’s principles for asset management, selling underused or vacant land to reduce holding costs and generate capital receipts.

Cabinet was informed that the proposed sale price was £850,000 which exceeded the independent RICS Red Book valuation, ensuring compliance with Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972, which requires “best consideration” for asset disposals.

Further to this Cabinet was advised that the sale was recommended on an unconditional basis, meaning there were no specific conditions tied to the transaction, such as planning permissions.

Cabinet was further advised that the Meyrick Estate had expressed interest in acquiring the site under the Crichel Down rules, which provide former owners the first opportunity to repurchase land acquired by compulsory purchase, and that whilst these rules were advisory rather than mandatory that the council had engaged in negotiations with the Meyrick Estate to ensure compliance and avoid potential litigation.

In addition Cabinet was informed that the disposal is part of the council’s broader strategy to manage its portfolio efficiently, reduce costs, and support its Transformation Programme through the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts, and that the recommendation to proceed with the sale reflects the council’s commitment to achieving best value while addressing public feedback supporting the sale of surplus assets.