Issue details

Property Holdings: (Rolling entry)

The County Council’s West Sussex Plan sets out its ambition to minimise the burden of local taxation, delivering the best outcomes for residents with the money it spends, whilst living within its means.  In 2018 the County Council agreed to adopt an Asset Management Policy and Strategy.  An objective of the strategy is to acquire, manage, maintain and dispose of property effectively, efficiently and sustainably, together with optimising financial and commercial opportunities.

 

This report seeks authority for West Sussex County Council to enter into a promotion agreement with a land promotion company and an adjoining landowner for the promotion of a housing development and the eventual disposal of up to 0.62ha (1.53 acres) of WSCC owned land at Smugglers Lane, Upper Beeding, Nr Horsham in conjunction with an adjoining landowner as per the attached plan in Appendix B (Restricted to members only).

This is mostly grazing land currently accessible from a narrow lane classified as a green lane. To maximise the development potential of the land, vehicular access to the proposed development is to be secured from the adjoining land by agreement.

The land promotion company has approached WSCC and the adjoining landowner, who owns 1.12 ha (2.76 acres), with a view to promoting and securing planning permission for the combined site in conjunction with the WSCC land with a view to marketing the whole site for disposal, subject to the grant of a satisfactory planning permission for housing development.

 

 

Decision type: Key

Reason Key: Expenditure > £500,000;

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Divisions affected: (All Divisions);

Notice of proposed decision first published: 12/01/2022

Decision due: Before 3 April 2023 by Cabinet Member for Finance and Property (Cllr Jeremy Hunt)

Lead member: Councillor Jeremy Hunt jeremy.hunt@westsussex.gov.uk

Contact: Elaine Sanders, Property Services Manager Email: elaine.sanders@westsussex.gov.uk Tel: 033 022 25605.

Consultation process

Representation can be made via the officer contact

Consultees

Local members

Democratic Services Contact: Suzannah Hill Tel: 033 022 22551

Decisions

Background papers

  • None