Issue - meetings

Members gave consideration to a report which sought approval to commit resources to prepare a case for Compulsory Purchase of land on a key site in the South-West Ward of Gainsborough, subject to final approval of the Orders by the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee.

Debate ensued and Officers advised that the CPO would be the action of last resort, negotiations would continue.

It was questioned why this power was not used to secure more sites, particularly those which were unsightly, in response Officers outlined the evidence the Council must produce, the costs and work involved and the fact that the power could only be used when all other measures had failed.

In response to Members’ questions, assurance was given that the Council did have the resource to pursue the matter.

There was general discussion regarding the future use of some of the buildings surrounding the site but no firm plan had been agreed.

On that basis it was RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND to the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee that: -

(a)             the Council prepare the case in principle for a Compulsory Purchase Order under Section 226(1)(a) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, for the acquisition of  the site concerned as shown edged in red on the plans attached at Appendix 1, and specifically excluding the ‘marina land’;

(b)             a capital budget of up to £1.450m to acquire this site, be approved; and

(c)             the Executive Director of Economic and Commercial Growth and the Executive Director of Resources, in consultation with the Chairs of Prosperous Communities and Corporate Policy and Resource Committee, with the requisite legal representation be authorised to:

1.    Acquire interests in the property by agreement;

2.    Liaise with Homes England and any funders to pursue any funding mechanism to deliver the scheme;

3.    To liaise with Muse as the Council’s Development Partner to carry forward with the development of a residential scheme;

4.    To procure an alternative developer/contractor to carry forward the development of a residential scheme;

5.    Take all necessary actions to give effect to these recommendations;

6.    Approval of a capital budget to acquire the land