Decision details

To agree a Local Lettings Plan to support the delivery of Cheltenham Borough Council's investment in 22 social rented homes at Radford Court (Monkscroft Villas), Princess Elizabeth Way, Cheltenham, which will be managed by Cheltenham Borough Homes (CBH).

The purpose of the local lettings plan is to support the delivery of Cheltenham Borough Council’s investment in twenty two new build social rented homes at Radford Court (Monkscroft Villas) on Princess Elizabeth Way, Cheltenham by considering measures to maintain low levels of anti-social behaviour and crime, and to support the development of a sustainable and cohesive community in the long-term.

These homes will be owned by Cheltenham Borough Council and managed by Cheltenham Borough Homes (CBH).

Owing to the substantial number of Council-owned properties in the immediate vicinity, and the nature of the development, (100% affordable, 27 affordable homes for Social Rent and Shared Ownership) it is considered that the inclusion of a Local Lettings Plan for Radford Court is a logical approach.

The properties developed at Radford Court, which will be available to let at a social rented level, are a mix of thirteen one-bedroom flats and nine two-bedroom flats.

The development also includes three two bedroom flats and two, two-bedroom houses for Shared Ownership. These will be marketed by Help to Buy South.

The properties will be allocated via the Gloucestershire Homeseeker Plus Choice Based Lettings Scheme. This scheme allows the Council to enter into a Lettings Plan in certain situations, such as sites where new affordable housing is being developed.

The aim of the Lettings plan is principally to ensure that households accommodated within a new development can support the creation of a new and sustainable community. It is for the council to determine what goes into a particular lettings plan.

It is proposed that, in order to maintain a balanced and sustainable community a Local Lettings Plan is applied to the new scheme at Radford Court which will cover initial lettings and all subsequent re-lets for a 15 month period following completion of the development.

The Local Lettings Plan for Radford Court will be reviewed by Cheltenham Borough Council in consultation with key CBH Officers prior to the expiry of the 15 month period. 

Advertising the properties on Gloucestershire Homeseeker Plus without a Local Lettings Plan has been considered, however for the reasons listed above it is felt that a local lettings plan for an initial 15 month period will help create a balanced and sustainable community to enable successful integration within the wider community.

The draft Local Lettings Plan for Radford Court has been agreed in conjunction with key officers from Cheltenham Borough Council and Cheltenham Borough Homes and in consultation with Councillor Peter Jeffries, Cabinet Member for Housing.