Decision: to agree to authorise the disposal of the land South of Steele Avenue, Greenhithe and delegate authority to:
1. The Director of Infrastructure in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, to finalise the contractual terms of the disposal.
2. The Director of Infrastructure to authorise the execution of necessary contractual and land agreements required to implement the above.
Reason for the decision
Proposed property disposal in line with the Council’s statutory and fiduciary duties and over £1 million which requires a key decision.
Background
The freehold asset “Land at Steele Avenue Greenhithe” is a site approx. 1.29 acres. It is currently vacant and last used by KCC’s Highway Department as a depot site for the widening of the adjacent dual carriageway. The asset also includes car parking towards its north end.
This site, including the car park, was declared surplus to KCC’s requirements and was subsequently identified for disposal. A comprehensive marketing exercise has been undertaken for the north end of the site where it is envisaged a medical centre could be constructed, subject to planning consent and other due diligence which would provide a valuable community healthcare facility. Bids for the north end of the site have been received and a lead bidder has emerged.
A decision is now sought to finalise the terms of the conditional sale contract and authorise disposal of the north part of the site and, once boundaries have been confirmed for the medical centre, the south end of the site will be marketed for disposal.
How the proposed decision meets the objectives of ‘Increasing Opportunities, Improving Outcomes: Kent County Council’s Strategic Statement (2015-2020)’
· Securing a capital receipt to fund the capital programme.
· Streamline the Council’s property portfolio.
· Achieve financial and efficiency benefits in line with appropriate policy.
· Provide Greenhithe, Stone and Swanscombe with much needed modern, purpose built, primary healthcare facilities with capacity to provide GP services to the growing population up to circa 30,000 patients.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Expenditure or savings of more than £1m;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: Dartford East;
Notice of proposed decision first published: 10/11/2021
Anticipated restriction: Part exempt - View reasons
Explanation of anticipated restriction:
supporting paperwork will include commercially-sensitive material
Decision due: Not before 9th Dec 2021 by Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services
Reason: in order that the proposed decision can be published for a minimum of 28 days, in accordance with statutory requirements
Lead member: Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services
Lead director: Rebecca Spore
Department: Strategic & Corporate Services
Contact: Alister Fawley, Principal Investment and Disposals 07703 289 855 / 07824 504426 Email: alister.fawley@kent.gov.uk, Simon Hocken, Property Disposals Consultant Email: simon.hocken@kent.gov.uk.
Consultees
Has any public consultation been undertaken or is any planned?
Not to date but it is common for medical centre developers to offer public consultation on proposals as part of the planning application process.
The site has also been the subject of representations for the Local Plan and the Stone Parish Council Neighbourhood Plan
Have views been sought from local Members?
The Local Member has received regular updates regarding activity at this site and a meeting held with the Stone Parish Council Councillors to discuss the proposals for this site. Their current views will be sought and reported to the relevant Committee / Cabinet Member.
Cabinet Committee consultation planned or undertaken
The proposed decision was discussed and endorsed by the Policy and Resources Cabinet Committee on 9 November 2021.
Financial implications: The sale of the property will result in a capital receipt for KCC which will be used to support the Council’s Capital Programme. Revenue costs are minimised due to the structuring of a conditional contract with further consultant fees being initially borne by the developer.
Legal implications: The conditional contract will be legally binding and will commit KCC to the eventual sale of the land subject to the granting of a qualifying planning consent within the terms of the contract. The contract is also subject to entering into satisfactory Agreements for Lease with the 2 GP practices and approval of the Full Business Case by the Clinical Commissioning Group’s (CCG) and District Valuer.
Equalities implications: N/A Data Protection implications As part of this authority process and in the handling of the marketing and conveyance Data Protection is observed.