To enable a registered provider to develop the site for affordable housing purposes and to generate a capital receipt from the sale of the land.

Resolved -

That the land at Twickenham Drive, Leasowe be declared surplus to the Council’s requirements and the Assistant Chief Executive be authorised to agree a sale of the site to Leasowe Community Homes Ltd (company number : 03616536) for £192,000 plus a contribution towards the Council’s fees.

The site is located on Twickenham Drive, Leasowe to the front and side of Leasowe Millennium Centre, with frontages also to the north and east onto Livingstone Road.  The site itself, comprises the site of the former Fernleigh Care Home, which was demolished some time ago, together with a vacant grassed site to the side of the Millennium Centre. The site is shown edged in red on the attached plan and extends to approximately 1.85 acres.

The cleared site has been identified as suitable for a social housing development and Leasowe Community Homes (LCH), was identified as the preferred Registered Provider to undertake the scheme, as they are the majority stock holder for the surrounding social housing properties on the Leasowe Estate.  LCH has worked with the Council’s Housing and Investment team and a scheme of 30 residential units comprising 20No 2 bed houses and 10No 2 bed bungalows (including two fully accessible bungalows) for affordable rent has been agreed.

Selling the site to this selected Registered Provider enables the Council to have some input into the design, type, tenure and future allocation of the completed homes.  It also supports one of the Wirral Plan 2025 outcomes which is for Wirral Residents to have access to great jobs and good quality, affordable housing.

The site could be offered for sale on the open market which could generate a higher receipt but would not achieve the scheme described and the wider strategic objectives of the Council.