The director of the government’s programme for repurposing and selling off public land is in discussions with the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) over how to better capture the social value benefits of land, amid criticism from some council leaders that the government has an over-inflated perception of land values.
Ellen Vernon, programme director for One Public Estate (OPE), told a committee of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) environment, economy, housing and transport board last Thursday that OPE is currently in discussions with MHCLG about including “social value benefits” as well as monetary value in assessments of land. Ms Vernon added that there is already a “shift away” from a “full reliance on land values” in calculating the benefit-cost ratios behind some of their investments.
Exclusive: New fund to help communities buy local assets lgcplus.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from lgcplus.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
“There is great progress with the primary care facility which will add real value for everybody. “In the face of all of this, I am amazed and delighted that out construction colleagues are making really good progress.” Professor Humphris was speaking today at a virtual meeting of the Greater Brighton Economic Board, which brings together business, council and education leaders.
The university and the council are working with a developer on the project The economic board’s One Public Estate programme awarded £45,000 towards the costs of including new premises for two local doctors’ surgeries as part of the scheme. A report to the board said: “The project will secure the delivery of a new primary healthcare centre as part of the wider regeneration scheme to meet the future healthcare needs of the area where population growth is anticipated to be the highest of any area of the city.
A DEVELOPER has finally been found to build homes on the site of an eyesore former swimming pool after years of delays. Worcester City Council said it has found a developer to build up to 50 homes on the former site of Sansome Walk swimming pool with councillors meeting next week to discuss contract plans. Councillors will also decide whether to approve adding almost half a million pounds to the project’s budget. If the additional money is approved, it means the cost of demolishing the building and preparing the land for development will have increased to £2.63 million. The council’s preferred developer remains a secret for now with confidential papers not revealing who the could would like to see build the homes.