Decision details

Merstham Former Library Site - Pre-emption Option

Decision Maker: Leader of the Council

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

A decision not to utilise the pre-emption option of a historic conveyance to purchase the former Merstham Library site.

This will allow the sale of the site by Surrey County Council to Raven Housing Trust, which will allow Raven Housing Trust to develop the site for affordable housing.

 

Decision:

That the pre-emption option to purchase the former Merstham Library site (Former Merstham Library, Weldon Way Merstham), as per the Conveyance between The London County Council and The County Council of the Administrative Council of Surrey of 25 October 1961, be declined.

 

A signed copy of the attached Strong Leader Decision is available for inspection upon request.

Reasons for the decision:

This will support the Council’s current 5-Year Corporate Plan aim to deliver affordable housing, and the emerging Corporate Plan’s objectives to work with partner organisations (including Surrey County Council) and developers (including Raven Housing Trust) to deliver homes that be afforded by local people and local workers.

Reigate and Banstead Council has no plans in place to acquire the site, and has not identified any clearly advantageous options for the Council’s use of it, were it to do so, and as such the opportunity is not judged to present any significant value to the Council at this time.

 

Alternative options considered:

Option 1: To decline to exercise the pre-emption option to purchase the site. This is recommended option as it supports the Council’s Corporate Plan objectives.

Option 2: To request that work be undertaken to conduct due diligence with the aim of exercising the pre-emption option to purchase the site. This is not the recommended option as it would not support the Council’s Corporate Plan objectives, would incur significant cost to the Council without a plan to generate associated benefit to the borough, and would hinder future cooperation with partner organisations.

Wards Affected: Hooley, Merstham and Netherne;

Contact: Caroline Waterworth, Commercial and Investment Director Email: Caroline.Waterworth@reigate-banstead.gov.uk Tel: 01737 276025.

Publication date: 05/12/2019

Date of decision: 03/12/2019

Accompanying Documents: