Subject: Sale of land adjoining former Ladybarn Status: For Publication PH, Milnrow

Report to: Pennines Township Date: 15 September 2015

Cabinet Member: Cabinet Member for Housing and Environment

Report of: Director of Economy & Environment Author: Mark Prestwich

Author Email: Tel: 01706 923323 Mark.Prestwich@Rochdale.Gov.UK

Comments from Statutory Monitoring Officer: Yes Officers: Section 151 Officer: Yes Key Decision: no

1 Purpose of Report

1.1 The purpose of the report is to seek approval for the Township to release for sale the Council’s interest in an area of vacant land adjoining the former Ladybarn Public House.

2 Recommendations

2.1 It is recommended that the Township Committee declares surplus to its requirements the land shown edged on the attached plan (see Appendix One).

3 Background

3.1 In recent months, the nearby Ladybarn Public House has been sold at auction and has been acquired by a small, local development company which has been granted planning permission to convert the former Public House into a number of residential dwellings (15/00216/HYBR). The consent also granted permission for the property owner to develop four detached residential units in the former car park.

3.2 As the Council had the benefit of a covenant over the car park – which restricted the use of the land to a car park in connection with the adjoining public house – the Council agreed terms for the removal of the restrictive covenant under delegated powers in order to allow the planning permission to be enacted.

3.3 However, when carrying out this title work, it was noted that the Council held a freehold interest in an area of adjoining land, as shown on the plan, that was naturalised in character and under-utilised. This land measures approximately 0.75 acres.

3.4 Therefore, as part of its commitment to good asset management the Council looked to agree terms with the owner of the Ladybarn Public House to purchase the land for incorporation within the wider development site and allow the Council to a) obtain a development value from the site from the adjoining special purchaser and b) deliver comprehensive redevelopment in the area.

3.5 Terms have been agreed in principle with the adjoining landowner who has now designed a scheme based on 7 units being developed (with an additional 3 units being developed on the former car park).

4 Alternatives considered

4.1 The Council could choose to do nothing. In proceeding with this option, the land would remain in ts present use and condition, the Council would fail to promote comprehensive redevelopment, fail to generate a capital receipt and also would continue to be responsible for the management and maintenance of the site. the benefits of incorporating this site within the wider development proposals..

5 Financial Implications

5.1 The council will receive a capital receipt equivalent to the market value of the land.

6 Legal Implications

6.1

7 Personnel Implications

7.1 There are no personnel implications arising from this report

8 Corporate Priorities

8.1 The disposal will meet objectives set out in the Council’s Asset Strategy, specifically reducing the Council’s asset base and expenditure and producing a capital receipt.

9. Risk Assessment Implications

9.1 None.

10. Equalities Impacts

Workforce Equality Impacts Assessment

10.1 There are no workforce equality issues arising from this report.

Equality/Community Impact Assessments

10.2 None.

Background Papers Document Place of Inspection Not applicable Appendix One