The Housing Department has been reviewing its land and site holding as part of the corporate commitment to address the budgetary crisis facing the authority.

Inevitably this entails officers examining all options, and various lists will have been drawn up for internal consideration during this process. However, Housing & Environmental Services Committee did agree to declare as surplus a number of sites at its meeting on 10 September to enable detailed consultation to take place with local residents.
The vast majority of sites agreed by Members earlier this week are small parcels of land which form part of existing estates or are blocks of garages that will require careful and detailed consultation. The report recognised this and Members endorsed the approach. Housing associations are likely to play a key role in taking this programme forward.

The programme of disposals is not simply about generating finance to address the Council's financial position, which we must do, but to procure the development of much needed housing accommodation in the borough. It is worth noting that in less than 4 years, the authority's direct or indirect allocations has reduced from 4,000 per annum to below 2,000. The Council currently has 2,000 families placed in temporary accommodation. In addition, this programme of sales will generate investment in housing estates, where land is being sold, to complement, supplement or replace the Council's own Capital Housing programme resources through Section 106 planning agreements.

If, prior to or during the auction, any of the sites are illegally occupied, appropriate measures will be taken to restore order. The Police are monitoring the situation.

Kiran Ramchandani
Communications Executive
020 8356 2108