Issue - meetings

This report informs the Panel of the current housing situation in the Enterprise Zone and the steps being made to help address housing need to support the delivery of a vibrant and economically sustainable City, whilst continuing to meet general affordable housing need in Bath.

The Divisional Director for Community Regeneration introduced this report alongside the Team Manager for Enabling & Development. He explained that the Council is aiming to maximise Government funding opportunities to help unlock and accelerate delivery of new homes in the City and that this must be balanced against the delivery of around 11,000 new jobs within the Enterprise Zone.

He highlighted three indicators to show the importance of delivering the Enterprise Zone as planned.

• Industrial sites within B&NES currently have a less than 1% vacancy rate.

• Figure of net jobs created in Bath is low. The Core Strategy highlighted a need for 400 net new jobs per year between 2011-2016 in Bath. The latest figures suggest a net gain of 30 per year during that period. This shows the importance of the Enterprise Zone in creating new jobs. Local Government funding has reduced significantly.
• The Enterprise Zone designation allows for the Council to retain 100% of Business Rates and this could equate to around £2m per year from the Bath Quays sites alone.

Councillor Rob Appleyard sought clarification on comments that could be made by members of the Panel who may also have a role on future Development Management Committee meetings involving the Enterprise Zone.

The Divisional Director for Development replied that Councillors must maintain an open mind regarding applications and not comment in such a way that would indicate any pre-determination.

The Team Manager for Enabling & Development commented that delivering a wide range of affordable housing options is vital to securing the success of the Enterprise Zone. She added that this means that as well as delivering homes to meet a traditional affordable housing need, the Council needs to look at ways of delivering affordable housing products targeted at individuals, couples and families working or looking to work in the City. She said that this supply will also support current major employers, such as the RUH and even the Council, for whom local house prices can be a major impediment to the recruitment and retention of staff.

She stated that there is a need to have an innovative approach to affordable housing and highlighted one such development of 5 ‘micro homes’ at the site of the former Banglo Pub on Lower Bristol Road at a 25% discount from the Open Market Value (OMV).

She explained that the levels of historic direct subsidy for affordable housing delivery are no longer sustainable, so the Council is working to secure capital finance through a number of possible grant/funding mechanisms;

·  Bath Quays: £7.5m Homes England Accelerated Delivery Fund

·  Bath Riverside: £12.6m Homes England Housing Infrastructure Fund: Marginal Viability

·  Bath Riverside: £7.5m Accelerated Delivery Fund specific to relocation and remediation of recycling centre

·  Growth Deal: £10m initial land purchase funding within the EZ

Councillor Lisa O’Brien said that she appreciated the number of jobs that the Enterprise Zone were looking to deliver, but questioned the viability in being able to provide affordable properties for these individuals / couples. She questioned whether any accommodation could  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56