Agenda and minutes

To note the attendance at this meeting of any duly appointed Reserve Members.

RESOLVED:  To note the attendance at this meeting of the following duly appointed Reserve Members:-

To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary or non pecuniary interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from all Members present.

RESOLVED:  To note that the following interests were declared:

·                 Councillor Philip Benjamin declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he is the Portfolio Holder Assistant for Planning and Regeneration, however, that has had no involvement in this business plan.  He remained in the room whilst the item was considered.

·                 Councillor Graham Henson declared a non-pecuniary interest in that as the former leader of the Council, had been heavily involved with the previous Harrow Strategic Development Partnership.  He remained in the room whilst the item was considered.

Report of the Corporate Director of Place

The Chair welcomed the Leader of the Council Councillor Paul Osborn and the Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regeneration Councillor Marilyn Ashton.

The Chair invited Councillor Osborn to present the item.  He confirmed that he was pleased with the initial proposals which had been submitted on the HSDP.

The Corporate Director of Place highlighted that in July 2021 the Council entered into a Joint Venture agreement in partnership with Wates Residential as the development partner following an extensive procurement process.  As part of the Harrow Strategic Development Partnership, it was planned to deliver over 1000 new homes across three Council sites: Poets Corner, Byron Quarter (ph1) and Peel Road.  It was confirmed that Peel Road development had been paused partly due to costs and viability of the site.

The planning submission for Byron Quarter PBP (Ph1) was expected to be May 2024, which aimed to Deliver 30% affordable (approx. 44 new homes).  It was also noted that Poets Corner PBP (Ph1) was expected to deliver 15% affordable (approx. 159 new homes), with 6% in first phase (approx. 30 new homes).

It was reported that due to the new safety regulations and viability of the scheme, it was decided to lower the storey of the buildings in order to avoid the two-staircase regulation, ultimately improving the viability of the scheme.  Poets Corner was currently planned for a build to rent scheme and would be ‘forward funded’. It had been planned to build a Primary school as part of the site. However, in March 2022, the decision had been taken that the school was no longer needed.

Milton Road was also a 100% affordable scheme, and was redesigned to reduce from seven storeys to six storeys.  This was already under construction and due to complete later this year.

It is anticipated that the planning permission for Byron Quarter would be submitted by Summer 2024 and for Poets Corner in late Autumn 2024.

Members raised questions on the quality of the new accommodation.  It was confirmed that once approved Business Plans were in place, work could begin to develop more detailed proposals and designs, including responses to any new standards. Parking for residents was discussed and it was noted that there would be parking available, however, the area was well connected and in accordance with the London Plan residents would be encouraged to make use of public transport, particularly at Poets Corner.

Concerns were raised over the costing elements and the unpredictable interest rates, however, members were assured that independent financial advice has been sought to reduce financial risk and safe assumptions had been made.  The Leader and Deputy Leader pointed out that risks had been properly assessed and mitigated against as much as possible to reduce the level of risk to the Council.  It was also pointed out that as Poets Corner would be forward funded, this would mitigate some of that risk exposure to the Council.  It was estimated that if the sites progressed well,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.

To resolve that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of confidential information in breach of an obligation of confidence, or of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972:

RESOLVED:  That in accordance with Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item(s) for the reasons set out below:

Confidential appendices 1b, 2b, 3b, 6 and 7 to the report of the Corporate Director of Place.

Members received confidential appendices to the report.

RESOLVED:  That the confidential appendices be noted.