Decision details
North Keynsham land acquisition
Decision Maker: Chief Executive, West of England Combined Authority
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Purpose:
The repayable Land Acquisition Fund (LAF) was
established as part of the Investment Fund by the WECA Committee in
November 2018 to support the purchase of land that would increase
and/or accelerate housing delivery. At the WECA Committee in
January 2021, it was agreed to increase the value of funds within
the LAF in the period to 2022/23 to £10m. A delegation to
approve business cases through the LAF was granted to the WECA
Chief Executive in consultation with the Chief Executives of the
constituent councils in February 2019.
A Full Business Case has been produced by Bath & North East
Somerset Council seeking £5.975m from the LAF to acquire 75
acres of agricultural land in North Keynsham.
This location was identified as a Strategic Development Location
during the Joint Spatial Plan process and B&NES are now seeking
to progress the site for development through an allocation of the
entire site within a Partial Update of the Local Plan.
The site could support the acceleration of 319 homes, including 111
affordable homes. The proposal has been assessed against the agreed
LAF criteria scoring 61% against a pass mark of 50%.
The Chief Executives of the WECA constituent councils were
consulted on this proposal and were in agreement with the
decision.
Decision:
Approval of the Full Business Case for North
Keynsham land acquisition and the related award of
£5.975m.
Alternative options considered:
Not applicable in relation to this specific
decision, i.e. this was the option considered.
Publication date: 03/03/2021
Date of decision: 18/02/2021