The Director of Economy, Regeneration and Sustainability has submitted a report to Cabinet that requests to appropriate the land (change the statutory basis on which it is held by the Council) within the General Fund (“GF”) to the Housing Revenue Account (“HRA”) and the appropriation of the land for planning purposes. The land is currently held as garages and for public open space purposes at Underhill Circus (the “Land”) for the objective of building affordable housing.

Cabinet is recommended to:

1.    Note that following the statutory public notification process of the Council’s intention to appropriate the Land to planning purposes, no written representations were received in response to the public notice; and

2.    Recommend the appropriation of the land in the Council’s ownership at Underhill Circus (see Image 1) (“the Land”), to planning purposes to facilitate its future development for new affordable housing; and

3.    Recommend to Council the appropriation of the land owned by Oxford City Council that forms the development site for housing at Underhill Circus from the General Fund (“GF”) into the Housing Revenue Account (“HRA”) at the established red book valuation figure. A further report to Council is to be timetabled between the granting of planning consent summer 2026 for the new development and the completion of the new homes end 2027, to ensure the appropriation aligns with the delivery phase of the project.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.             Note that following the statutory public notification process of the Council’s intention to appropriate the Land to planning purposes, no written representations were received in response to the public notice; and

2.             Approve the appropriation of the land in the Council’s ownership at Underhill Circus (see Image 1) (“the Land”), to planning purposes;

3.             Subject to obtaining planning consent, recommend to Council the appropriation of the land owned by Oxford City Council that forms the development site for housing at Underhill Circus from the General Fund (“GF”) into the Housing Revenue Account (“HRA”) at the established red book valuation figure.

The Director of Economy, Regeneration and Sustainability had submitted a report to Cabinet that requests to appropriate the land (change the statutory basis on which it is held by the Council) within the General Fund (“GF”) to the Housing Revenue Account (“HRA”) and the appropriation of the land for planning purposes. The land is currently held as garages and for public open space purposes at Underhill Circus (the “Land”) for the objective of building affordable housing.

Councillor Linda Smith introduced the report. She noted that the underused garages in Barton had attracted antisocial behaviour and become unsightly, and was pleased to propose the provision of affordable housing as a new use for the site.

Dave Scholes, Affordable Housing Supply Corporate Lead advised that the site formed part of the small sites programme. Cabinet had considered the matter in January 2024 at which time the appropriation process commenced, including the issue of notices of intent and receipt of objections. He explained that following a late review, some ambiguity had been identified in the recommendations as drafted and set out in the agenda. An amendment had therefore been tabled to recommendations 2 and 3, substituting the word ‘recommend’ with ‘approve’. This was intended to clarify that the proposal was to move the purpose from the General Fund to a planning purpose, and subsequently for Cabinet to recommend to Council that, during the construction phase, the units be transferred from the General Fund to the HRA to take affect following planning consent.

Councillor Hollingsworth queried the lease arrangements for the garages and whether any constraints existed on ending such arrangements, specifically in cases where a small number of garages might remain in use and where releasing them could make sites developable. He also sought clarification on whether the proposed wording change had any implications, specifically whether garages within the site were currently held in the General Fund or already in the HRA. In response, the Affordable Housing Supply Corporate Lead explained that garages were typically let by the Council on short agreements terminable by either party within a week’s notice. In this specific case, some garages had remained empty for considerable time and had not been let to private individuals. He further stated that half of the garages were being used by shopkeepers, in some cases forming part of their leasehold demise. These arrangements had since been terminated and the garages separated from the shop leases, allowing the council to progress the site for development. He confirmed that all garages on the site were currently held within the General Fund and that, once developed, the transfer to the HRA would occur as part of the process.

Councillor Brown introduced an amended recommendation, which was agreed by Cabinet.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.           Note that following the statutory public notification process of the Council’s intention to appropriate the Land to planning purposes, no written representations were received in response to the public notice; and

2.           Approve the appropriation of the land in the Council’s ownership  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54