Officer Decisions (archive)
Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport - Meg Booth
Summary of Matter or Issue Requiring Decision:
Delivery of two parcels of Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space (SANGS) and the Vistry section of the spine road are no longer capable of delivery by Devon County Council within the constraints and timescales of the Housing Infrastructure Fund and a decision is required as to whether this is removed from the South West Exeter Housing Infrastructure Fund programme.
Decision Taken:
Approved – Decision taken in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport (on 2/11/23) to remove the schemes from the SW Exeter HIF programme.
Summary of Reason(s) for Decision Taken:
| The HIF bid included the delivery of a spine road through the southern section of the SW Exeter development, connecting parcels of development in different ownerships. Efforts have been made with the developer to progress the design for the Vistry section of the spine road, but it has not been possible to gain the necessary information from the landowner to enable the design of the road to progress. Given the time constraints of the funding, there is insufficient time remaining in the programme to undertake the design, secure planning permission and deliver the road. It is therefore intended to remove the Vistry section of the spine road from the HIF project. Responsibility for the road’s delivery will revert to Vistry as the landowner. Vistry has already partially constructed one section of the spine road and the remaining spine will be a continuation of this.
The HIF bid also included the delivery of six parcels of SANGS. These were to be delivered by Teignbridge District Council with funding from the HIF programme. This would allow the SANGS to be delivered early, for wider public benefit, allow a joined-up approach to delivery and remove the restriction from developers who require sufficient SANGS to be in place prior to the occupation of dwellings. The first phase of the SANGS is now open, however, through the delivery process, issues have arisen regarding the delivery of two of the parcels, known as Parcel D and Parcel A2. Parcel D is aligned to the delivery of development at Matford Home Farm. The landowner for this development site has made the decision not to progress the SANGS for their development utilising HIF funding. Instead, the landowner, or future developer, will be responsible for delivering Parcel D of the SANGS and ongoing future maintenance of it. A second parcel of SANGS, known as Parcel A2, is a car park to serve the SANGS. It was intended that this would be delivered with the Vistry section of the spine road given the interactivity between the two schemes. The delivery of this section of spine road is no longer intended to be progressed, which has a corresponding impact on Parcel A2 of the SANGS. The delivery of this parcel will revert to the developer. Noting the risks regarding delivery of the schemes within the programme, it is recommended that the schemes are removed from the HIF project. Homes England has agreed that the funding for these two schemes will remain within the project and be allocated to contingency. This will help in supporting cost increases, due to increased construction costs, for remaining schemes. Removing these schemes from the HIF project does not impact housing delivery as the responsibility will revert to the landowner/developer in accordance with their planning permissions.
|
Summary of Alternatives or Options considered and rejected:
An alternative option is to progress with the design and delivery of the spine road. This presents a risk to the county council. Given necessary information has not been forthcoming from the developer, there is the potential that the design does not align with the housing layout for the development and amending the design would result in additional cost and delay. In this scenario, the developer is unlikely to give permission for the construction of the road or agree to repay the cost of the road in the future, which is a key requirement of the HIF funding. Furthermore, progressing would result in risk regarding delivery of the scheme within the funding availability period. If works are commenced and not completed by the end of the funding availability period, the county council would not be able to draw down HIF funding, presenting a significant financial risk. This also impacts the delivery of Parcel A2 of the SANGS as these two schemes are aligned.
Regarding Parcel D of the SANGS, the county or district council could progress with the compulsory purchase of the land. This would have programme implications, presenting a risk regarding the delivery of the scheme within the funding availability period, which would have the same impact as identified for the spine road above.
Details of any conflict of interest and dispensation granted to the Officer taking the decision or by any Member of the Council in delegating responsibility for any specific express delegation:
None
Contact for enquiries/further information:
Sarah Ratnage Email: sarah.ratnage@devon.gov.uk Phone: 01392 383554
Decision Date:
9 November 2023
A copy of this decision and any supporting documentation considered by the Officer taking this decision may also be made available or inspection by the public at the Council’s Offices or posted upon payment of any copying and postage charges. Any member of the public wishing to take up either of these options is asked to please ring 01392 382888 or email: members.services@devon.gov.uk