Cabinet, at its meeting on 22 October 2025, will consider a report to seek project approvals and delegations for Westland Drive and Halliday Hill affordable housing scheme.

Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Nerys Parry, Director of Housing and have been invited to present the report and take part in discussions.

The Committee is asked to consider the report and agree any recommendations.

Appendix 2 contains exempt information pursuant to Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. To discuss this item, it will be necessary for the Committee to pass a resolution to exclude the press and public from the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, specifying the grounds on which their presence could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in specific paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act if and so long as, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

(The Access to Information Procedure Rules – Section 15 of the Council’s Constitution – sets out the conditions under which the public can be excluded from meetings of the Council)

Cabinet, at its meeting on 22 October 2025, will consider a report to seek project approvals and delegations for Westland Drive and Halliday Hill affordable housing scheme.

The Committee is asked to consider the report and agree any recommendations.

Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities and Dave Scholes, Affordable Housing Supply Corporate Lead, were present to respond to questions.

Councillor Smith presented the report to the Committee, noting that the scheme pertains to land already owned by the housing revenue account and has achieved planning permission. The Committee heard that the scheme is affordable and will include six units for social rent, five for affordable rent, and four for shared ownership; this spread reflects the relative priority given to each of those tenures by the Council. Councillor Smith emphasised that the scheme also responds to the local housing need. Finally, it was noted that the Council has set a target of 1600 new affordable homes in the next four years, of which at least 850 will be for social rent.

The Affordable Housing Supply Corporate Lead informed the Committee that the scheme is currently finalising its tender process, and the contract will be awarded in the coming weeks. The Committee heard that the build stage is expected to commence in April 2026 and will be completed within around 12 months from this date.

The Chair thanked Councillor Smith and the Affordable Housing Supply Corporate Lead and reminded the Committee that should they wish to discuss any information enclosed within the confidential appendix to this item, it would be required to enter private session.

Councillor Miles requested clarification between the distinction of ‘low car development’ and ‘car free development’ referenced in the report. The Affordable Housing Supply Corporate Lead noted that only a small number of parking spaces had been designed into the scheme and committed to providing relevant data following the meeting.

Councillor Miles also asked what provision there would be for resident bike parking, recommending that this be considered from the start of the scheme, rather than built in at a later date. The Affordable Housing Supply Corporate Lead noted confidence that bike spaces had been included within the plans and committed to providing this information following the meeting.

Councillor Altaf-Khan clarified the timing of the tendering process with the Affordable Housing Supply Corporate Lead who confirmed the scheme was progressing on time.

Councillor Smith confirmed that two disabled parking spaces were included within the plans, and also an increase in cycling provisions.

The Chair invited the Committee to discuss possible recommendations.

The Committee made no recommendations to Cabinet.

The Affordable Housing Supply Corporate Lead left the meeting and did not return.

Following the meeting, the Affordable Housing Supply Corporate Lead provided the Committee with the following information:

• Car parking: There will be two parking spaces available, both designated for disabled users.
• Bike parking: The bike store will provide 28 spaces for the flats (two-tier rack system). The houses will each have a bike shed located in their yard.