Decision - White Rock Land Swap

White Rock Land Swap

Decision Maker: Elected Mayor

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

That subject to satisfactory terms being agreed the Council enters into a land swap with Deeley Freed. The Council to transfer the PLUSS site at Whiterock in return for the transfer of Deeley Freed’s site fronting onto Brixham Road.

To take forward the economic strategy, support growing businesses and create new jobs by building a new business centre at Whiterock Business Park. It is anticipated that this will create up to 30,000 square feet of new workspace for businesses.

The site that had been identified was alongside the Hotel at Whiterock Business Park. A nil cost land swap has been negotiated and the decision will seek authority to complete the land swap deal. Should the proposed workspace not progress within 2 years the landowner will buy the site back at an agreed price.

Decision:

That the Council enters into a land swap with Abacus Project Limited. Namely: Council to transfer the PLUSS site at Whiterock in return for the transfer of Abacus Project Limited’s site fronting onto Brixham Road.

Reasons for the decision:

To support the delivery of Council’s Economic Strategy by building a new business centre at Whiterock Business Park. The land swap will provide the best site available for the new centre.

Alternative options considered:

Alternative options are set out in the submitted report.

Implementation:

This decision will come into force and may be implemented on Wednesday 18 December 2013 unless the call-in procedure is triggered (as set out in the Standing Orders in relation to Overview and Scrutiny).

Information:

The creation of a business centre at Whiterock Business Park will create up to 30,000 square feet of new workspace for businesses. The site intended for the new business park is adjacent to The Hotel at Whiterock Business Park. The Torbay Development Agency has negotiated a land deal on behalf of the Council to acquire this land from the present landownder in exchange for property owned by the Council nearby (the former PLUSS site).

A revised scheme and business case for a business park at Whiterock is being prepared following an unsuccessful funding bid to the South West European Regional Development Fund Competitiveness programme. Should it prove impossible to develop a viable project the landowner will buy the site back at the market value at the time (subject to a minimum price of £275,000).

The Mayor supported the recommendations of the Council made on 5 December 2013, as set out in his decision above.

Interests and Nature of Interests Declared:

None

Publication date: 10/12/2013

Date of decision: 05/12/2013

Effective from: 18/12/2013