Agenda item

To consider the following Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning related reports scheduled for Cabinet consideration on 1 September 2021:

•         Carters Quay Build to Rent Opportunity, Poole

The O&S Board is asked to scrutinise and comment on the report and if required make recommendations and observations as appropriate.

The Cabinet report for this item is included with the agenda for consideration by the Overview and Scrutiny Board.

The Leader of the Council 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.

The Leader of the Council, supported by Officers, responded to comments and requests for clarification, details included:

• The existing planning permission on the site was due to lapse which was currently being addressed by the current landowner.
• This was an opportunity for the Council to progress this site and lead by example and that by purchasing the site it would allow the council to take control of promoting regeneration in the immediate area.
• The price for building on site also included the land transaction costs and the landscaping of the site and was not solely on a cost to build per unit basis.
• The Council would be discussing the issue of gas boilers with the current landowner/developer.
• Market report data was taken before, during and after covid restrictions were in place and is therefore up to date and accurate.
• There was the possibility that four of the commercial units on site could assist with the homeworking agenda.
• The development provided a large central courtyard which would provide a quality amenity space.
• It was not unusual for developers to gain planning permission and then not fully develop a site and this allowed the council to step in and assist with its regeneration ambitions.
• There was a need to take a long-term view and once critical mass took effect, additional projects would follow.
• In developing these proposals, the council had obtained professional and expert advice from both an external body and from its own officers, who had both been prudent in the financial modelling.
• The reward to the council for taking a risk would be the profitability of the scheme, which in turn would be used on the Council’s frontline services.
• In relation to the planning permission that was due to lapse, there was only a requirement to satisfy the commencement conditions on site, not to actually start the work itself.
• Over a period of time, the level of investment would break even, before going onto make a profit.
• This scheme was geared at the private rented sector  and there was a degree of flexibility in the numbers if they did not work out as planned.
• Seascape would be managing the development on behalf of the Council.
• The Council was having constructive discussions with Inland Homes to ensure that the risks were mitigated, which would continue.
• The Council had been prudent in its assessment of occupancy rates and had its own data in relation to market requirements.

 It was moved and seconded that the recommendations to Cabinet and Council be amended as follows:

In the recommendations to Cabinet:

a)    Delete “and buildings” after ‘land’ in first line

b)   Insert “for the land” after ‘price’ in the first line

c)    –

d)   Insert a new d) saying “Authorises the Corporate Property Officer to pursue for the land a redesigned scheme having regard to a fresh investigation of demand, the 2021 Parking Standards, this Council’s declaration on Climate Control and all other relevant matters

e)    Re-letter para d) as e)

In the recommendation to Council:

a)    Delete after all text after ‘part of this report’ in the 4^th line

Voting:

For – 7                       Against – 8               Abstentions – 0

The amendment was therefore LOST

A Member requested that even though the amendment had been lost that in presenting to Cabinet, the Chairman highlighted the difference of opinions had by Board Members.

The Chairman thanked Board Members and Officers for their contributions.