Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: contracts exchanged for sale with preferred bidder Pegasus
It wishes to retain part of the parkland:
Futures Forum: East Devon and the expropriation of public space
And yet it has made clear its intentions to 'hand over' the remaining parkland to the Town Council:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: Cabinet meets Weds 9th Sept
These details have now emerged:
Covenant to protect future of Knowle park
12:48 22 September 2015
EDDC's Knowle HQ. Ref shs 7701-15-12SH Picture: Simon Horn
The parkland at Knowle not designated for development will be transferred to Sidmouth Town Council for just £1 – but how much district chiefs will pay for its upkeep after they relocate is yet to be decided.
Restrictive covenants will be placed on the land handed to Sidmouth to ensure it remains as public open space, or as a parking facility.
East Devon District Council has also agreed to pay a one-off ‘commuted sum’ for its maintenance, but this is subject to negotiations.
The only ‘ball park figure’ suggested so far is £25,000.
Deputy chief executive Richard Cohen told EDDC’s cabinet last Wednesday that developer Pegasus Life Ltd is currently conducting traffic reports and ground surveys on the site.
The firm is buying the existing council offices, which it plans to demolish, and 14 per cent of Knowle’s parkland – a conditional offer worth up to £8million that is dependent on it securing planning permission. It hopes to create retirement housing for 100 people and a bar/restaurant that would be open to the public.
Covenant to protect future of Knowle park - News - Sidmouth Herald
This is the comment from the East Devon Watch blog:
REMAINING KNOWLE PARKLAND TO BE SOLD TO SIDMOUTH TOWN COUNCIL FOR £1
22 Sept 2015
All well and good talking about restrictive covenants but they were not much use in Exmouth when East Devon District Council bought out restrictive covenants which were owned by Clinton Devon Estates which would have held up developments.
And if some parkland is used for parking as mentioned in the article, what is to stop Pegasus using it as an overflow car park for their luxury retirement complex?
Many questions still to be answered.
Remaining Knowle parkland to be sold to Sidmouth Town Council for £1 | East Devon Watch
However, at at the meeting of the Cabinet on 15th July, there was a lot of talk about 'maximizing' assets:
Maximise the value of assets through commercial thinking with a focus on income generation, sustainability and developing local economies.
Cabinet minutes for 15 July 2015 - East Devon
There have been grumbles from controlling-party Members asking why the District Council were ready to 'give away' the parkland to the Town Council:
Council minutes for 3 June 2015 (Extra Ordinary meeting) - East Devon
Councils are obliged by law to seek 'best price' for any assets:
Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 has caused much debate over the years for councils considering land disposals. Legally, councils have the power to dispose of land ‘in any manner they see fit’ for the ‘best price reasonably obtainable’
Local Government Lawyer - Navigating section 123 and land disposal duties
The Council is obliged to seek ‘best consideration’ upon disposal of any asset, (as required by Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972). This usually means that the Council is under a statutory and public duty to obtain the best price reasonably obtainable for any property, or piece of land, which it sells. It also has a separate responsibility to be seen to deal ethically and fairly with all potentially interested parties.
POLICY NOTES FOR THE PURCHASE OF SMALL PARCELS OF COUNCIL OWNEDLAND
The District Council has been very careful otherwise in the realisation of the full value of its other assets:
Futures Forum: East Devon's beach huts and the Asset Management Forum
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: "gaining the most out of your existing buildings and demonstrating how they can continue to be valuable assets"
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: "We’re digging into the opportunities to release assets and invest in assets to increase revenue streams."
Unless it pays not to look after certain assets:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: and the 'managed neglect' of valuable assets
Futures Forum: Knowle: Victorian hotel: heritage asset or not...
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.
.
Covenant to protect future of Knowle park
12:48 22 September 2015
EDDC's Knowle HQ. Ref shs 7701-15-12SH Picture: Simon Horn
The parkland at Knowle not designated for development will be transferred to Sidmouth Town Council for just £1 – but how much district chiefs will pay for its upkeep after they relocate is yet to be decided.
Restrictive covenants will be placed on the land handed to Sidmouth to ensure it remains as public open space, or as a parking facility.
East Devon District Council has also agreed to pay a one-off ‘commuted sum’ for its maintenance, but this is subject to negotiations.
The only ‘ball park figure’ suggested so far is £25,000.
Deputy chief executive Richard Cohen told EDDC’s cabinet last Wednesday that developer Pegasus Life Ltd is currently conducting traffic reports and ground surveys on the site.
The firm is buying the existing council offices, which it plans to demolish, and 14 per cent of Knowle’s parkland – a conditional offer worth up to £8million that is dependent on it securing planning permission. It hopes to create retirement housing for 100 people and a bar/restaurant that would be open to the public.
Covenant to protect future of Knowle park - News - Sidmouth Herald
This is the comment from the East Devon Watch blog:
REMAINING KNOWLE PARKLAND TO BE SOLD TO SIDMOUTH TOWN COUNCIL FOR £1
22 Sept 2015
All well and good talking about restrictive covenants but they were not much use in Exmouth when East Devon District Council bought out restrictive covenants which were owned by Clinton Devon Estates which would have held up developments.
And if some parkland is used for parking as mentioned in the article, what is to stop Pegasus using it as an overflow car park for their luxury retirement complex?
Many questions still to be answered.
Remaining Knowle parkland to be sold to Sidmouth Town Council for £1 | East Devon Watch
However, at at the meeting of the Cabinet on 15th July, there was a lot of talk about 'maximizing' assets:
Maximise the value of assets through commercial thinking with a focus on income generation, sustainability and developing local economies.
Cabinet minutes for 15 July 2015 - East Devon
There have been grumbles from controlling-party Members asking why the District Council were ready to 'give away' the parkland to the Town Council:
Council minutes for 3 June 2015 (Extra Ordinary meeting) - East Devon
Councils are obliged by law to seek 'best price' for any assets:
Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 has caused much debate over the years for councils considering land disposals. Legally, councils have the power to dispose of land ‘in any manner they see fit’ for the ‘best price reasonably obtainable’
Local Government Lawyer - Navigating section 123 and land disposal duties
The Council is obliged to seek ‘best consideration’ upon disposal of any asset, (as required by Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972). This usually means that the Council is under a statutory and public duty to obtain the best price reasonably obtainable for any property, or piece of land, which it sells. It also has a separate responsibility to be seen to deal ethically and fairly with all potentially interested parties.
POLICY NOTES FOR THE PURCHASE OF SMALL PARCELS OF COUNCIL OWNEDLAND
The District Council has been very careful otherwise in the realisation of the full value of its other assets:
Futures Forum: East Devon's beach huts and the Asset Management Forum
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: "gaining the most out of your existing buildings and demonstrating how they can continue to be valuable assets"
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: "We’re digging into the opportunities to release assets and invest in assets to increase revenue streams."
Unless it pays not to look after certain assets:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: and the 'managed neglect' of valuable assets
Futures Forum: Knowle: Victorian hotel: heritage asset or not...
.
.
.
Perhaps it might be best for STC to refuse to buy the land for £1 but for us to insist that EDDC implement the restrictive covenants anyway.
ReplyDeleteThen EDDC will continue to be responsible for its maintenance - which it should do anyway as part of the costs of the Knowle move.