Issue - meetings

That:

1)     The update on the delivery of the Toutley East development be noted;

2)     The proposed strategic masterplan and land uses for the site, including a new 68-bed dementia care home and up to 130 residential units (on 13th July 2022 Planning Committee resolved to grant outline planning consent for the strategic masterplan) be noted;

3)     The financial business case (Return on Investment) for the Toutley East development, including how the proposed land uses financially support each other and the net revenue benefit of £337,000 per annum rising to £700,000 per annum over an approximate 4 year time period be noted;

4)     The delivery options for the residential development identified at this stage, which will be subject to a future business case being approved by Executive and Council be noted;

5)     Authority to the Director of Assets and Resources, in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance, the Executive Member for Business and Economic Development and the Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Services, be delegated to deliver the strategic masterplan in line with the approved financial business case; and

6)     Officers provide a report on the impact of poor air quality and noise on dementia as reported in the national press.

The Executive considered a report which contained an update on the Toutley East Development.

The Executive Member for Equalities, Inclusion and Fighting Poverty Councillor Rachel Bishop-Firth spoke on behalf of the Emmbrook Ward Members and stated that there was consensus that more affordable housing and care home beds were needed in the Borough.  However, there were concerns about this particular site, and objections had already been raised on this issue, and work would be undertaken to address these concerns at the reserved matters stage.

Councillor Stephen Conway acknowledged the concerns raised by local ward Members.  He added that this plan had been approved by the Planning Committee, however this was an outline planning permission and as such there was scope to address some of the concerns previously raised.

Councillor Stephen Conway emphasized the fact that the realisation of the plan was dependent upon the building of housing to pay for the project.  It was pleasing to note that the plan included 35% of affordable housing.

Councillor David Hare stated that a new care home was desperately needed in the Borough.  He drew attention to the fact that the facility would be of high quality and be one of the best in the southeast, if not in the country.  He added that although Suffolk Lodge was a much loved facility, but it did not serve the purposes of the residents.

The Executive Member for Planning and Local Plan Councillor Lindsay Ferris supported the plan.  He proposed to add a recommendation to take on board the points raised by Councillors Gary Cowan and Jim Frewin with regard to noise and pollution.  This additional recommendation was agreed by the Executive.

RESOLVED That:

1)     This update on the delivery of the Toutley East development be noted;

2)     The proposed strategic masterplan and land uses for the site, including a new 68-bed dementia care home and up to 130 residential units (on 13th July 2022 Planning Committee resolved to grant outline planning consent for the strategic masterplan) be noted;

3)     The financial business case (Return on Investment) for the Toutley East development, including how the proposed land uses financially support each other and the net revenue benefit of £337,000 per annum rising to £700,000 per annum over an approximate 4 year time period be noted;

4)     The delivery options for the residential development identified at this stage, which will be subject to a future business case being approved by Executive and Council be noted;

5)     Authority to the Director of Assets and Resources, in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance, the Executive Member for Business and Economic Development and the Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Services, be delegated to deliver the strategic masterplan in line with the approved financial business case; and

6)     Officers provide a report on the impact of poor air quality and noise on dementia as reported in the national press.