Decision details

Approval to fund Home Group to deliver affordable homes at the redevelopment of Birchwood House, Panshanger, Welwyn Garden City

Exempt report of the Corporate Director (Housing and Communities) on this proposed redevelopment to provide new affordable homes.

(1)        The Decision Taken

RESOLVED:

(1)     That the Cabinet approves the payment of a grant of £255,000 to Home Group Housing Association towards the redevelopment of Birchwood House, to which the Council would have nomination rights with the grant payment to be made from the allowed amounts of the retained Right to Buy receipts.

(2)     That the Cabinet agrees to make a phased payment of funds to the Home Group Housing Association as development took place.

(3)     That the Cabinet delegates authority to the Directors (Housing and Community) and (Resources, Environment and Cultural Services), in consultation with the Executive Member (Housing and Communities), to agree any reasonable change in the grant payment based on actual costs of development, providing this remained affordable within the budget and did not exceed 30% of the allowed development costs.

(2)        Reasons for the Decision

As part of the Council’s Affordable Housing Programme, a range of methods had previously been agreed by the Cabinet to provide new affordable homes and the Council had also agreed a plan to deliver 500 homes over five years.

The proposed new development of 12 x 1 bed apartments would be let at social rent with 16 apartments to be sold on the open market to help fund the development.