Issue - meetings

The Committee heard from the Head of Housing, Health and Well-being regarding a report seeking approval to submit applications to the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority's Brownfield Housing Fund for three priority brownfield sites. It was explained that the fund provided an opportunity to secure external investment to address viability, remediation and infrastructure constraints that were currently limiting the delivery of new housing on the identified sites. Furthermore, the proposed applications would build upon the evidence and site assessments undertaken through the West Lindsey Housing Pipeline project, and aligned with both local and regional housing and regeneration objectives.

The approval sought was to enable officers to submit funding bids within the 9 August 2026 deadline, with successful schemes expected to be announced later in 2026. Securing funding would help accelerate housing delivery, and support brownfield regeneration.

During the course of significant debate, Members raised concerns regarding the wider infrastructure improvements required, the need to secure funding from developers for additional works, alongside the desire for mixed use sites as opposed to solely housing developments.

It was explained that, should the applications be successful, there would be legal processes to work through, as well as planning policy to be adhered to, all of which would address concerns such as the mix of affordable housing, and consideration of liability during the house building phase.

Members noted the tight timeframe and welcomed the opportunity to apply to the fund, whilst recognising genuine concerns around infrastructure. Officers highlighted that the approval to apply to the fund would place the council at the forefront of the opportunities offered.

In bringing debate to a close, the Chairman confirmed the recommendations had been proposed and seconded, and duly took the vote. It was  

RESOLVED that

a)    funding applications for the three sites identified be submitted to the Brownfield Housing Fund; and

b)    authority for submission of the bids be delegated to the Director for Planning, Regeneration and Housing in consultation with the Chair of Thriving Council Committee; and

c)    an update on the sites be presented to the Committee should the applications for funding be successful.

Note:              Councillor P. Key requested that his vote against be recorded in the minutes.