Agenda item

Report of the Director of Placemaking and Housing.To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Council Housebuilding, Placemaking, and Local Economy.

Proposed acquisition of 46 homes for council rent within block D4 of the Berkeley St William Clarendon Gasworks scheme, alongside a ground floor commercial space and the Energy Centre for the proposed local District Energy Centre (located in the basement and ground floor of the block).

Cllr Carlin returned to the meeting room 19.54

The Cabinet Member for Council Housebuilding, Placemaking, and Local Economy introduced the report which sought approval in principle the acquisition at pre-construction stage of 46 affordable homes and a commercial space contained within Block D4 in the Clarendon Gas Works Development being delivered by St William Homes LLP (a subsidiary of the Berkeley Group).

This scheme would support the growth in a key placemaking area and would contribute to the Council’s target of 3,000 homes by the end of 2031.

The scheme would enable 46 families and over 100 children, to move out of temporary, overcrowded, and unsuitable accommodation into new two-, three- and four-bedroom Council homes.

The Cabinet Member confirmed that some of the homes on this site had already been delivered and currently have occupancy.

In response to questions from Cllr Carlin, the following was noted:

• There had been an increase in the number of affordable housing on this scheme rising from 32% to 40%. There were also further social housing providers on this site  further written response on the overall number of social homes would be provided to Cllr Carlin.

Further to considering, the exempt information set out at item 26, including the exempt addendum,

RESOLVED

1. To approve the acquisition at pre-construction stage of 46 affordable homes and 120 m² commercial space within Block D4 in the Clarendon Gas Works Development being delivered by St William Homes LLP (SWH) for the premium set out in Exempt Part B report and on the basis set out in the Heads of Terms in the Exempt Part B report.
2. To approve the total scheme cost, on costs and fee budget set out in the Exempt Part B report.
3. To approve the use of Right to Buy receipts to subsidise this acquisition to the value set out in Exempt Part B report.
4. To grant delegated authority to the Director of Placemaking and Housing after consultation with the Head of Legal and Governance (Monitoring Officer) and Lead Member for Housing to agree the final legal documentation and complete the transaction.

Reasons for decision

The acquisition of these residential units will allow the Council to secure the delivery of 46 new Council homes at Council rents, building towards Haringey’s pledge to build 3000 Council homes by 2031.

There is an overwhelming need for affordable homes in Haringey and particularly affordable family homes. This acquisition, which includes 36 three and four bedroom homes, will help the Council provide accommodation for rent to those on the Council’s Housing Register.

The homes to be delivered are very well located and will be high quality, meeting the Mayor’s housing design standards.

The acquisition is good value for money, being cheaper per home than the average new build property in the Council’s own housing construction programme and is supported by funding from Right to Buy Receipts.

Alternative options considered

Not to acquire the homes. This option was rejected because it would represent a missed opportunity for the Council to:

Secure 46 homes to let as Council rent tenancies.

Avail of unallocated Right to Buy funding.

Assist in maintaining momentum and progress in the overall aspiration to provide affordable housing in the borough.