234 NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL REPORT HOUSING & PROPERTY SERVICES COMMITTEE DATE: 21 November I2000 1 FROM: . I DIRECTOR OF HOUSING & PROPERTY SERVICES 1 REF: W/HM SUBJECT: TANNOCHSIDE PARK, UDDINGSTON SALE OF LAND TO SCOTTISH ENTERPRISE 1. PURPOSE OF REPORT This report concerns a proposal to sell small areas of land within Tannochside Park, Uddingston to Scottish Enterprise. 2. BACKGROUND Scottish Enterprise & North Lanarkshire Council’s predecessors were the original owners of Tannochside Park. The respective titles covered large areas of ground with irregular boundaries and few, if any, physical features to identify the boundaries. Through partnership working, civil engineering works were undertaken to service the site suitable for industrial / business development. The sites created have subsequently been sold on to a diverse range of business users. Scottish Enterprise disponed sites to Oakwood Food Limited and Orange Telecommunications. At the time of sale, which was several years ago now, Scottish Enterprise genuinely felt that they were selling land that was exclusively in their ownership. The view of both original landowners was that the feu boundary between the Scottish Enterprise and Motherwell District Council ownership’s was through an area designated common landscaping separating developable plots. Through the land registration process, it has however emerged that there are discrepancies over the supposed common boundary between the Scottish Enterprise & North Lanarkshire Council titles. As a consequence, small areas of land now occupied by Oakwood Foods and Orange Telecommunications are not shown on their respective Land Certificates despite their inclusion in the sale missives. The above areas are highlighted on the accompanying plan. In the case of Oakwood Foods Limited, the area in question covers part of the access into the manufacturing facility as well as part of the yard area. In the case of Orange Telecommunications the sliver of land forms part of their yard area. Legal Agents representing Scottish Enterprise have undertaken further research and they believe that the small slivers of land in question are owned by North Lanarkshire Council. Scottish Enterprise has undertaken to correct the apparent discrepancies by acquiring the land and transferring it on to the affected proprietors. In the case of Oakwood Foods Limited, there is a particular urgency to regulate the situation as they are involved in a major project which will bring new jobs to the Tannochside Park facility. As the Tannochside facility is a major asset of the Company, the parties involved in the deal wish the title irregularity rectified as soon as practically possible. value\2000\repnov\tannochside-2911-wp 23 5 3. PROVISIONAL AGREEMENT Due to the urgency attached to the Oakwood Foods predicament, this report has been prepared while discussions continue with Scottish Enterprise over the valuation approach to be adopted. It is hoped that details of a provisional agreement can be tabled at the Committee meeting, failbig which Committee are asked to delegate the decision over the transfer value to the Director of Housing & Property Services. 4. RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that Committee:- (1) approve the principle of selling the small areas of land in question to Scottish Enterprise. (2) in the event of a provisional agreement not being tabled at Committee, the decision over the transfer value be delegated to the Director of Housing & Property Services. A All other terms and conditions to be adjusted by the Head of Property. THOMAS McKENZIE Director of Housing & Property Services t 2 LOCATION PLAN - For Information 01 we: GROUND AT TAYNOCHSIDE ORiVE - row: TANNCCHSiDE PARK, UDDLNGSTON Prcmertv Sewices Division \ I .