Council agrees moves to speed up development (From Northwich Guardian)

Council agrees moves to speed up development

8:30am Monday 13th January 2014 in News

BROWNFIELD sites owned by the council will be developed faster after a new strategy was approved.

Derelict sites, including the former Royal British Legion and The Meadows, in Barnton, Castleleigh Centre, in Castle, and Leaf Lane School, in Winsford, will be disposed of more quickly for housing under the new moves by council bosses.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s (CWAC) executive agreed to appoint a framework of strategic housing partners to provide competitive rates and value for money for the disposal of sites no longer required by the council.

Clr Herbert Manley, executive member for growth and innovation, said: “The framework offers the council many benefits. It allows us to avoid costly procurement procedures and to think about how we want to dispose of our sites.

“If a site is appropriate for development there will be consultation with local members so they have some influence into what that site should be.

“We have already agreed the disposal of a number of sites across the borough.

“The type of buildings will not be defined until they go to planning application but on every site there will be affordable homes.

“This framework will ensure we are getting value for money as a council while increasing housing stock owned by other providers.”

The meeting heard that Leaf Lane School, the former RBL, The Meadows and Castleleigh Day Centre, among other sites in Ellesmere Port, are ready for immediate release on approval of the framework.

Adopting the framework would mean these sites should be completed from the end of 2015 onwards.

The minimum number of affordable homes for each site will be determined in accordance with planning policy.

The remaining sites agreed for disposal include a car park in Church Street, in Winsford and Handley Hill School, in Winsford.