Minutes:
The Council noted that, in March 2023, the Executive had authorised Officers to commence a procurement exercise to secure a Development Partner to support the Council in delivering a housing scheme at the Guildford Park site.
A procurement process was initiated in June 2023, which sought to identify a suitable Development Partner via a competitive dialogue and tender process. Final tenders were received in April 2024, and Officers and the appointed consultant team had evaluated the submissions received and identified the preferred bidder.
The Council considered a report, the purpose of which was to seek approval to enter into a contract with the preferred bidder. The preferred bidder would be responsible for developing a new planning application for the site, securing planning consent, funding the non-affordable elements of the scheme and delivering the scheme in its entirety. The Council would acquire the affordable housing delivered by the scheme in accordance with the agreement. The parties would closely collaborate throughout the project delivery phase to deliver a high-quality residential development, with policy compliant amounts of affordable housing, on this under-utilised site.
A copy of the updated Outline Business Case was appended to the report.
At its meeting held on 15 July 2024, the Executive had considered this matter and had endorsed the recommendation to Council, as set out in the report.
The Leader of the Council, Councillor Julia McShane proposed, andthe Lead Councillor for Finance and Property, Councillor Richard Lucas seconded, the motion to adopt the recommendation in the report.
During the debate, concern was expressed as to whether the Council would be achieving value for money regarding the cost of the 98 affordable homes. However, other councillors noted that the Council would be responsible for these homes, which would be built sustainably to a very high quality.
Having debated the matter, the Council
RESOLVED:
(1) To approve the updated Outline Business Case, provided in Appendix 1 to the report submitted to the Council, setting out the preferred way forward for the project based on the appointment of Wates Construction Limited as the Council’s development partner in respect of the Guildford Park Road housing project, who will be responsible for delivering the scheme under a Development Agreement.
(2) To approve, pursuant to the procurement process outlined in the report, the appointment of Wates Construction Limited as development partner for the project.
(3) To authorise expenditure of up to £39.7M from the HRA Capital Fund to fund the project from this point forward to completion.
(4) To delegate to the Strategic Director (Place), in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Housing and Community and the Lead Councillor for Regeneration, authority to enter into all contracts and such other legal agreements as are necessary to appoint Wates Construction Limited.
(5) To delegate to the Strategic Director (Place), in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Housing and Community and the Lead Councillor for Regeneration, all such approvals as are necessary to service the Council’s responsibility to provide approvals under the Development Agreement.
(6) To delegate to the Strategic Director (Place), in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Housing and Community and the Lead Councillor for Regeneration, authority to dispose of land and buildings in accordance with the requirements under the Development Agreement.
(7) To delegate to the Strategic Director (Place), in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Housing and Community and the Lead Councillor for Regeneration, authority to enter into all contracts and such other legal agreements connected with the Guildford Park Road housing project as may be necessary in compliance with Contract Procedure Rules and within the approved budget.
Reasons:
· The Guildford Park Road redevelopment is a key scheme within the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan that will deliver a significant number of additional homes in the town centre.
· The recommendation will support the delivery of the Council’s emerging Corporate Strategy (2024 – 2034) by providing and facilitating housing that people can afford.
· The project will see the redevelopment of a brownfield site, allocated for housing in the Local Plan.
· The preferred delivery route for the Guildford Park site is partnership delivery, via a Development Agreement, as set out in the Strategic Outline Business Case approved by the Executive in March 2023.
· As demonstrated in the accompanying Business Case and Tender Report, the Council has undertaken a compliant procurement exercise, and following evaluation and moderation of the final tender submissions, Officers are now seeking approval to enter into a Development Agreement with Wates Construction Limited for the delivery of the Guildford Park redevelopment.
Supporting documents: