Decision details

Approval of Development Loan Funding for the Acquisition and Development of Land at Keynsham Health Centre (WL)

Decision Maker: Council Leader

Decision status: Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

Agreement to accept a development loan to facilitate the purchase a site for housing development in Keynsham.

Decision:

To approve the development loan borrowing of up to £3.2m from the Council on the commercial terms as set out in the Business Case provided at Exempt Appendix 1 to deliver this housing development.

Reasons for the decision:

In accordance with the Aequus Business Plan approved by the Shareholder in February 2025, ACL has been working on a number of site opportunities which have the potential to support the Aequus development pipeline and meet the Shareholder’s financial and wider objectives for the company.

 

The site at Keynsham Health Centre has been subject to positive engagement and discussion over the past 12 months with NHS Property Services Ltd. This has led to a number of potential opportunities being identified and the ability for Aequus, as a wholly owned Council company, to acquire identified surplus sites directly from the NHS.

 

The site identified as surplus at Keynsham Health Centre has the potential, subject to planning, to support the development of up to 7 family homes. These will be designed to deliver:

 

  Good quality family homes delivered to space standards appropriate for the development and market.

 

  All homes on the site will be developed to meet the B&NES sustainability planning policy standards.

 

  All homes will benefit from a dedicated electric vehicle charging point.

 

  The scheme will not be land banked and will be progressed as a priority once full planning is achieved.

 

ACL financial returns will support delivery of the B&NES Council (as Shareholder) financial objectives including the payment of Shareholder dividends.

Alternative options considered:

None.

Publication date: 21/08/2025

Date of decision: 21/08/2025

Accompanying Documents: