The Housing Development Manager addressed the Committee and in doing so explained that following the Committees decision at the June 2019 meeting to endorse the delivery of a New Homes Delivery Programme.  He further outlined the report set out the criteria and process of which prospective sites would be identified for residential development by the Council.

Members heard how the Council had agreed ambitious targets for house building both within the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and by Thurrock Regeneration Limited (TRL) which were to build, up to 500 affordable HRA homes between 2019 to 2029 and 1000 homes for sale and rent by TRL by 2023. This followed the publication of the South Essex Strategic Housing Market Assessment which assessed the need for housing in Thurrock between 2014 and 2037 as being between 1,074-1,381 new dwellings per annum, within which the affordable housing element is estimated at 472 dwellings per annum.

Officers continued to take Members through the report, highlighting the key criteria for sites deemed potentially suitable for development; sites would often fall within more than one criterion.

The Chair of the Committee then explained that she had used her discretion to allow a resident to ask a question. She then asked Mrs Campbell to join the Committee and ask her question.

If the site includes open space it would only be brought forward for development, if the space is considered of poor quality and no longer required for that purpose, as defined in the Open Space 2006 assessment.  Why would you consider development in a deprived area, with no youth club for young people, which is used for recreation reason, would you consider that poor quality?

The Housing Development Manager, thanked Mrs Campbell for her question and explained that if a site was to be considered for development, it would have to meet one or more of the key criteria. He further explained that a wide range of factors would be taken into account and it wouldn’t just be choosing an area of land without consideration.

Members queried if it was possible to give members of the public more information on the consultations and the process the Council was following. Additionally it was enquired should only 50% of a site be used would the remaining 50% be improved for future use. The Corporate Director of Adults, Housing and Health/Interim Director of Children's Services confirmed that each site would have its own consultation and follow the planning application process. It was also stated that officers would support infrastructure where possible.

Councillor Abbas requested that relevant Ward Members are included within the consultation referred to at point 2.6 in the report, which officers were happy to agree.

The Housing Tenant Representative enquired as to the breakdown of the 1000 TRL homes.  The Housing Development Manager informed the Committee the homes would be a range of tenures including affordable homes in line with the Councils Planning Policy, some would be to rent and some shared ownership.

Members sought clarity on the use of land which had been fly tipped on, with the assumption that such land would not be appropriate for development.  The Corporate Director of Adults, Housing and Health/Interim Director of Children's Services stated that all possible sites would undergo review, however any sites deemed to be contaminated would not be used, such as old refuse sites.

The Chair thanked Officers for the report and stated she was pleased to see that the Committee and Members had been included at this early stage of the process.

RESOLVED:

Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee are asked to comment on the proposed process and criteria by which Council owned sites are selected for redevelopment for residential purposes.