Agenda item

8.1

The report seeks approval for the former Knowle Hill Residential Care Home site (Streetfields, Halfway, Sheffield, S20 4TB) to be appropriated for the purposes of Part II of the Housing Act 1985.

The former residential care home has been vacant since the service was relocated in 2017. The site and buildings are no longer required for this purpose and are now held for general purpose provision. The site has been identified as suitable for the delivery of new Temporary Accommodation as part of the Council’s Stock Increase Programme (SIP).

The site needs to be formally appropriated for ‘housing purposes’ to enable work to progress on the delivery of new Temporary Accommodation (e.g. disconnection of utilities, demolition of existing structures, completion of ground investigation surveys).

8.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Finance Sub-Committee approves that the former Knowle Hill Residential Care Home site is appropriated for the purposes of Part II of the Housing Act 1985.

8.3

Reasons for Decision

8.3.1

The site is designated Housing Area in the adopted Sheffield Local Plan and is considered a mix of greenfield and brownfield, with the buildings being previously developed and the 'garden' area being greenfield. Core Strategy policy CS24 allows for this, with part (b) stating that small greenfield sites within the existing urban area may be developed where it can be justified on sustainability grounds.

8.3.2

There is a clearly identified need for additional purpose-built temporary accommodation across the city to enable the Council to meet its statutory duties.

8.3.3

There is a significant cost to the Council in using expensive emergency Bed & Breakfast accommodation to meet the current shortfall in available temporary accommodation.

8.3.4

The proposal provides an opportunity to regenerate a Council-owned brownfield site, thereby removing liabilities associated with a vacant building and disused site.

8.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

8.4.1

Do nothing: The site became vacant in 2017. The site remains a maintenance liability for the Council and is an underutilised brownfield site in Council ownership. As a result of further deterioration due to vandalism and ongoing anti-social behaviour, continuing to ‘do nothing’ is not considered a suitable long-term option.

8.4.2

Site disposal: In November 2019, the then People portfolio intended to declare the site as surplus and put it forward for disposal through Property Services. As part of this process, there was an opportunity to explore the site for alternative council uses. Following a review of surplus council assets, the site was selected for consideration to provide temporary accommodation.

8.4.3

Building refurbishment: Initial feasibility work identified significant risks with the existing fabric of the building and reduced capacity for self-contained accommodation. It was therefore considered unviable for refurbishment, with recommendations for demolition and new build.

8.1

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director, Operational Services seeking approval for the former Knowle Hill Residential Care Home site (Streetfields, Halfway, Sheffield, S20 4TB) to be appropriated for the purposes of Part II of the Housing Act 1985.

The former residential care home has been vacant since the service was relocated in 2017. The site and buildings are no longer required for this purpose and are now held for general purpose provision. The site has been identified as suitable for the delivery of new Temporary Accommodation as part of the Council’s Stock Increase Programme (SIP).

The site needs to be formally appropriated for ‘housing purposes’ to enable work to progress on the delivery of new Temporary Accommodation (e.g. disconnection of utilities, demolition of existing structures, completion of ground investigation surveys).

8.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Finance Sub-Committee approves that the former Knowle Hill Residential Care Home site is appropriated for the purposes of Part II of the Housing Act 1985.

8.3

Reasons for Decision

8.3.1

The site is designated Housing Area in the adopted Sheffield Local Plan and is considered a mix of greenfield and brownfield, with the buildings being previously developed and the 'garden' area being greenfield. Core Strategy policy CS24 allows for this, with part (b) stating that small greenfield sites within the existing urban area may be developed where it can be justified on sustainability grounds.

8.3.2

There is a clearly identified need for additional purpose-built temporary accommodation across the city to enable the Council to meet its statutory duties.

8.3.3

There is a significant cost to the Council in using expensive emergency Bed & Breakfast accommodation to meet the current shortfall in available temporary accommodation.

8.3.4

The proposal provides an opportunity to regenerate a Council-owned brownfield site, thereby removing liabilities associated with a vacant building and disused site.

8.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

8.4.1

Do nothing: The site became vacant in 2017. The site remains a maintenance liability for the Council and is an underutilised brownfield site in Council ownership. As a result of further deterioration due to vandalism and ongoing anti-social behaviour, continuing to ‘do nothing’ is not considered a suitable long-term option.

8.4.2

Site disposal: In November 2019, the then People portfolio intended to declare the site as surplus and put it forward for disposal through Property Services. As part of this process, there was an opportunity to explore the site for alternative council uses. Following a review of surplus council assets, the site was selected for consideration to provide temporary accommodation.

8.4.3

Building refurbishment: Initial feasibility work identified significant risks with the existing fabric of the building and reduced capacity for self-contained accommodation. It was therefore considered unviable for refurbishment, with recommendations for demolition and new build.