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Agenda item
Acquisition of land in Ore Valley
Decision:
1. To purchase the freehold of the land.
2. To fund the initial repairs and maintenance costs from the Council’s reserves (Ore Valley Reserve), estimated at some £57,000 (excluding VAT).
3. The Director of Operational Services considers options for the long term management and maintenance arrangements of this area of land and brings forward a further report if necessary.
4. The Ore Valley reserve is used to fund the ongoing maintenance and inspection costs of the land transferred until the long term arrangements are in place
Minutes:
The Assistant Director, Financial Services and Revenues submitted a report to seek approval for Hastings Borough Council to take ownership of areas of green space in the Ore Valley.
The report was presented by the Director of Corporate Services and Governance and the Estates Manager.
In July 2017 Cabinet resolved to take ownership of the Former Power Station site and green space in the Ore Valley from Hastings & Bexhill Renaissance Ltd (HBRL) subject to the outcome of due diligence.
HBRL are now marketing the site inviting offers.
The land comprises 2 parcels of land east and west of Broomgrove Road and measuring approximately 3.66 hectares and 1.27 hectares.
Due diligence has been undertaken and both the Council and HBRL wish to proceed with the transfer of the green space land as it is intended that HBRL is wound up.
It was noted that the Council may consider looking at ways to protect the land from future development.
Councillor Chowney proposed approval of the recommendations, seconded by Councillor Evans.
RESOLVED (unanimously):
1. To purchase the freehold of the land.
2. To fund the initial repairs and maintenance costs from the Council’s reserves (Ore Valley Reserve), estimated at some £57,000 (excluding VAT).
3. The Director of Operational Services considers options for the long term management and maintenance arrangements of this area of land and brings forward a further report if necessary.
4. The Ore Valley reserve is used to fund the ongoing maintenance and inspection costs of the land transferred until the long term arrangements are in place.
Reasons for the decision:To enable the social and economic regeneration of Ore Valley and the surrounding area.
There are significant responsibilities in owning land, and the initial costs of making the land accessible can be funded from a reserve set aside for this particular purpose.
The Assistant Director, Financial Services and Revenues submitted a report to seek approval for Hastings Borough Council to take ownership of areas of green space in the Ore Valley.
The report was presented by the Director of Corporate Services and Governance and the Estates Manager.
In July 2017 Cabinet resolved to take ownership of the Former Power Station site and green space in the Ore Valley from Hastings & Bexhill Renaissance Ltd (HBRL) subject to the outcome of due diligence.
HBRL are now marketing the site inviting offers.
The land comprises 2 parcels of land east and west of Broomgrove Road and measuring approximately 3.66 hectares and 1.27 hectares.
Due diligence has been undertaken and both the Council and HBRL wish to proceed with the transfer of the green space land as it is intended that HBRL is wound up.
It was noted that the Council may consider looking at ways to protect the land from future development.
Councillor Chowney proposed approval of the recommendations, seconded by Councillor Evans.
RESOLVED (unanimously):
1. To purchase the freehold of the land.
2. To fund the initial repairs and maintenance costs from the Council’s reserves (Ore Valley Reserve), estimated at some £57,000 (excluding VAT).
3. The Director of Operational Services considers options for the long term management and maintenance arrangements of this area of land and brings forward a further report if necessary.
4. The Ore Valley reserve is used to fund the ongoing maintenance and inspection costs of the land transferred until the long term arrangements are in place.
Reasons for the decision:To enable the social and economic regeneration of Ore Valley and the surrounding area.
There are significant responsibilities in owning land, and the initial costs of making the land accessible can be funded from a reserve set aside for this particular purpose.
The potential transfer of responsibilities for the land to a “conservation group” could help to enhance and protect the biodiversity of the area, particularly given the very limited resources that the Council has and expects to have in the future.
Until such time as the long term future of the site is secured there will be regular inspection and maintenance costs incurred e.g. trees, paths, drainage, signage, and particularly fences.
Supporting documents:
- Acquisition of land in Ore Valley, item 205. PDF 124 KB
- Enc. 1 for Acquisition of land in Ore Valley, item 205. PDF 832 KB
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