Agenda item

The Cabinet Member for Housing presented the update on the Council’s new build and acquisitions programme.  The delivery of high quality affordable housing remained one of the Council’s key priorities and was an important part of the Council’s Corporate Plan commitments.  The Corporate Plan 2024-2027 clearly sets out the Council’s mission to ensure that all residents could access housing which was safe, good quality, sustainable and suitable for their needs and future generations.

Good progress was being made on sites across the District with construction taking place at Larch Close, Grantham and Wellington Way, Market Deeping.  Preparations for further development at Toller Court, Horbling, Kesteven Road, Stamford and Bourne Road, Colsterworth were continuing.  Alongside developments taking place, the Council continued to pursue a balanced approach through acquisitions which enabled the Council to increase its supply of affordable housing and respond to housing need.

Seven affordable homes were handed over to the Council the previous year at the development in Corby Glen with a further six properties due to be handed over in June 2026 at the same development.

The Council had been successful in securing external funding of £180,000 from Homes England through the Council Housebuilding Support Fund to support its housing delivery and would be used in respect of feasibility work on a number of Council owned sites to bring forward potential housing schemes across the District.

It was noted that there were challenges in delivering new homes which included site conditions, construction costs and planning requirements.  The current housing pipeline was strong and the Cabinet Member for Housing placed on record her thanks to Officers, the Council’s development partners and contractors for the work undertaken in respect of the delivery of affordable homes and she asked Members to note the report update.

The Chairman referenced a visit that he had undertaken to the development at Larch Close, Grantham and the progress being made. 

The Vice-Chairman made reference to the “Social Value Plan” which was contained within the Wellington Way, Market Deeping development and asked for clarification on what this meant.  The Director of Housing and Projects replied that all high value contracts had an element of “Social Value”, this was not always a monetary element as was the case with Wellington Way where the Developers had run a prize draw for vouchers for the local supermarket for those properties affected by the development.  There was always a “social” element attached to high value contracts and could involve works carried out to a community facility or in the form of apprenticeships.

A further question was asked about contract costs and when developments would be completed in respect of sites at Larch Close and Wellington Way and were they within budget.   The New Build Project Officer stated that discussions with the contractors were on going in respect of Wellington Way and that the handover of units at Larch Close, Grantham would be carried out on a phased handover with some units not handed over until 9 January 2027.

The Committee noted the report.