Issue - meetings

Report of the Leader of the Council

RESOLVED THAT:

1.      Cabinet agree in principle that the Councils may need to use compulsory purchase powers to acquire the land shown edged red on the plan, attached at appendix 2 of this report, in order to achieve the following:

(a)  Secure the delivery of the West Cheltenham development, its housing and job-creation objectives together with contributing to the promotion and improvement of the economic, social and environmental well-being of Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Boroughs in line with the emerging Cyber Central Garden Community Supplementary Planning Document;

(b)  Facilitate the development of the site by assembling the land interests within a reasonable timeframe and at a reasonable cost;

2.      The Director of Planning be authorised to undertake the investigative and preparatory work required for the compulsory purchase process in collaboration with Tewkesbury Borough Council.  Cabinet notes that as an outcome of this recommendation, if it is necessary and appropriate, for one or more compulsory purchase orders to be made, that a further report will be brought to Cabinet seeking approval to the making of an Order;

3.      Cabinet accept that costs of up to £100,000 may be incurred. This cost is to be split equally between the two authorities (£50,000 contribution from Tewkesbury Borough Council).

The Leader of the Council clarified that recent portfolio changes meant that he was now responsible for this subject area, though the forward plan still listed the accountable member as the Cabinet Member Development and Safety.

He noted that this report related to what needs to be done next regarding West Cheltenham, which is a significant project for the town. He emphasised that it constituted a small part of the preparatory work for a project of this scale, outlining technical requirements and possibilities. The council seeks to work closely with its partners, and the report takes into account the ongoing planning consultation and discussions with landowners.

He reported that the anticipated costs have been budgeted for (projected to be up to £100k, which will be split equally with Tewkesbury), and that Cabinet would be consulted again should the final figure turn out to be higher.

The Cabinet Member Development and Safety added that he was familiar with the subject, as it had previously been in his portfolio. He emphasised that the vision for West Cheltenham is based on high quality development across the area. Appropriate land assembly is a key issue, and the council must do all the proper preparatory work to ensure that the land is suitable.

RESOLVED THAT:

1.      Cabinet agree in principle that the councils may need to use compulsory purchase powers to acquire the land shown edged red on the plan, attached at appendix 2 of this report, in order to achieve the following:

(a)  Secure the delivery of the West Cheltenham development, its housing and job-creation objectives together with contributing to the promotion and improvement of the economic, social and environmental well-being of Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Boroughs in line with the emerging Cyber Central Garden Community Supplementary Planning Document;

(b)  Facilitate the development of the site by assembling the land interests within a reasonable timeframe and at a reasonable cost;

2.      The Director of Planning be authorised to undertake the investigative and preparatory work required for the compulsory purchase process in collaboration with Tewkesbury Borough Council.  Cabinet notes that as an outcome of this recommendation, if it is necessary and appropriate, for one or more compulsory purchase orders to be made, that a further report will be brought to Cabinet seeking approval to the making of an Order;

3.      Cabinet accept that costs of up to £100,000 may be incurred. This cost is to be split equally between the two authorities (£50,000 contribution from Tewkesbury Borough Council).