Agenda item

That Members support:-

·        the development brief so that it can be adopted as supplementary planning guidance

·        the use of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO) powers if necessary

·        the resolution of Clwyd Alyn’s interest in 7 maisonettes

·        the tenure mix and “key principles” for the scheme which will then form a firm recommendation as to the delivery model for new homes

The Head of Housing introduced a report to consider the next steps in progressing delivery of the Housing element of the Flint town centre master plan.

She detailed the background to the report explaining that approximately 40 households remained occupied which was 12 months ahead of schedule and most who had vacated their properties had been housed in the local area.  One block of maisonettes had been demolished with a number of others close to being demolished by the end of the financial year.  The six strategic objectives for the plan for Flint were reported and paragraph 3.04 provided further information on the principles of a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) if this was required.  If approval was given to the making of a CPO, it was intended to instigate the process as soon as possible.  However, this did not mean that the Council would have to rely on the CPO but it did allow for the flexibility to do so, should it become necessary. 

It was reported that two remaining leaseholders had rejected the offers made but officers would continue to engage with them in an attempt to reach an agreement.  Five of the maisonettes were originally owned by Clwyd Alyn Housing Association and the Council had a number of options to deal with the Clwyd Alyn interest on the site and these were detailed in the report.  Option 3 (agreeing a ‘deal in the round’) was the recommended option and the aim of the approach was that there would be no financial outlay for the Council in cash terms.  This arrangement would involve the Council providing land for future developments to an agreed value. 

The Head of Housing provided details of the current tenure mix in Flint town centre and explained that the broad tenure mix being planned was for 40 homes for social rent developed by a Registered Social Landlord and/or the Council, 15 homes for Rent to Buy, 105 homes at affordable (LHA) rents and 20 homes at market rents.  Appendix C provided a summary of each of the model options and risks and would be applied to arrive at final proposals once key principles had been agreed.  The Head of Housing explained the key questions to determine the final decision making and these were detailed in the report.  A development brief for Flint was also attached to the report and this was intended to compliment the vision for the regeneration of Flint town centre following the proposals contained in the Flint Strategy and Master Plan 2021. 

Councillor Rosetta Dolphin welcomed the plan and asked if Flint Town Council had been consulted.  She felt that the ‘deal in the round’ was the best option.  The Head of Housing confirmed that a presentation had been given to Flint Town Council some time ago and that further discussions would take place.

Councillor Peter Curtis welcomed the progress made in re-housing tenants which was ahead of schedule.  He asked if what was shown in the development brief was how the town centre would look or how it could look.  The Head of Housing indicated that it was a guide and that if it was adopted by the Council, any future planning applications would be cross checked against the development brief to ensure that they complied with the guidance.  Councillor Curtis asked for details of the amount that would have to be borrowed if theCouncil decided to take on all of the properties.  The Head of Housing said that development of 180 houses would cost £12m.  She said that the properties would become self financing as the rental income generated would more than cover the amount of lending to build the houses.  The Head of Finance said that some complex financial modelling work had been undertaken and that £12m was a ballpark figure.  There were a number of ways that the Council could fund this but further details would need to be worked through.  She added that this was an exciting opportunity. 

Councillor Mike Reece felt that this was good news and asked if any of the tenants had been at risk from the recent fire in the area.  The Head of Housing said that some sheds had been set alight and a tenant in one of the neighbouring maisonettes had been moved out of her property temporarily.  The authority was starting to face more challenges and was looking to put additional measures in place to control the security of the site.  In response to a question from the Chairman about the timescale for emptying the properties, the Head of Housing said that discussions were continuing with the remaining householders. 

Councillor Alison Halford felt that it was a fantastic report which should be celebrated.  She congratulated the officers for their work on the project and proposed that the recommendation in the report be accepted. 

Councillor David Cox thanked the Head of Housing and her team for their work on the report and for the meetings that had been held and the consultation undertaken with the residents of the maisonettes.  He also supported the acceptance of the recommendation.  Councillor Gareth Roberts welcomed the suggestion for long term leases.         

The Head of Housing said that providers of similar schemes had been asked for information and the potential implications were being considered and added that soft market testing had been undertaken. 

The Chairman queried whether those who had been re-housed were happy with where they had been placed.  The officer said that it had mostly been positive but that there had been a few challenges. 

RESOLVED:

That Members support:-

·        the development brief so that it can be adopted as supplementary planning guidance

·        the use of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO) powers if necessary

·        the resolution of Clwyd Alyn’s interest in 7 maisonettes

·        the tenure mix and “key principles” for the scheme which will then form a firm recommendation as to the delivery model for new homes