Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/24/39) on proposed South West Exeter Housing Infrastructure Fund Project amendments, attached.

An Impact Assessment has been previously prepared, is attached, and also available on the website at South West Exeter Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) - Impact Assessment (devon.gov.uk).

(Councillor Bullivant declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in this matter by virtue of being a member of the planning committee at Teignbridge District Council at the time the initial decision was made and withdrew from the meeting during its consideration).

RESOLVED

(a) that the amendments to the HIF package of infrastructure for the removal of the electricity substation be approved and enter into an associated Deed of Variation to the Grant Determination Agreement with Homes England;

(b) that the acquisition of the full site as shown edged blue and green in Appendix 1 be approved, to facilitate construction of the Community Building and GP Surgery;

(c) that the transfer of the land edged in green in Appendix 1 to the NHS prior to occupation of the GP Surgery be approved;

(d) that the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport be given delegated authority, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport and Local Member to remove the combined community building / GP surgery scheme from the HIF programme if, following further investigation, the scheme is not considered deliverable; and

(e) that Devon County Council take ownership of the Community Building, and the Director of Transformation and Business Services be given delegated authority, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Policy Corporate and Asset Management and Local Member, to explore income opportunities to lease out space in the proposed Community Building and / or transfer the building to a suitable owner, to mitigate Devon County Council’s ongoing financial liability.

(Councillors Biederman, Leaver and Whitton attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

(Councillor Bullivant declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in this matter by virtue of being a member of the planning committee at Teignbridge District Council at the time the initial decision was made and withdrew from the meeting during its consideration).

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/24/39) on proposed South West Exeter Housing Infrastructure Fund Project amendments, circulated prior to the meeting in accordance with regulation 7(4) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

South West Exeter was a strategic allocation of 2,500 dwellings and 21.5 hectares of employment land within the administrative areas of Teignbridge District Council and Exeter City Council. The Cabinet noted the complexity of the site as well as the positive progress in delivering several elements of the package, which had supported accelerated delivery of housing at South West Exeter.

The Report sought formal approval to request Homes England remove the substation from the HIF project as it was no longer deliverable within the funding timescales (see section 4 of the Report). Although the plan was to proceed with the Community Building and GP surgery, the land ownership arrangements for the Community Building scheme had changed as explained in section 5 of the Report. A map of the infrastructure delivered/proposed to be delivered by HIF could be viewed in Appendix 2.

An Impact Assessment had been previously prepared and was available on the website at South West Exeter Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) - Impact Assessment (devon.gov.uk).  The Report highlighted that whilst the changes would involve some infrastructure not being delivered, the remaining infrastructure would support the South West Exeter development.  The aim to deliver the Community Building and GP Surgery would foster positive relations in the community and enable participation in activities and services by people with a variety of needs. Access to local healthcare facilities would also be enhanced, supporting the most vulnerable in the local communities.

Ongoing engagement with stakeholders had taken place for the Community Building and GP Surgery.  This has included monthly meetings with Exminster Parish Council, NHS and Ide Lane Surgery since September 2021.  In addition, meetings on specific issues had taken place as required.

The Cabinet noted that approval of the recommendation would allow the delivery of the remaining infrastructure.  It was necessary to remove the substation to allow the deliverable schemes to progress, supporting the housing delivery.  Whilst the removal of the substation had the potential to delay housing delivery as well as the transition to net zero, it could no longer be delivered within the HIF timescales and seeking a longer extension had the potential to delay other infrastructure delivery. 

Various options had been considered for the Community Building, with the ownership by DCC considered to be the most appropriate option for the wider community benefit in terms of place-making and addressing existing capacity  ...  view the full minutes text for item 557