RESOLVED

That Cabinet recommends that Council (09 July 2014):

1). Are updated on due diligence undertaken over the past six months by the London Borough of Merton (LBM) and Circle Housing Merton Priory (CHMP) officers working together.

2). That Council notes the significant opportunity this project represents to improve housing conditions for tenants, leaseholders and freeholders and the potential contribution to addressing wider housing provision pressures in Merton and London.

3). Agrees to proceed with exploration of estate regeneration schemes for Eastfields, High Path and Ravensbury via:

(a)    Preparation, in partnership with Circle Housing Merton Priory of a statutory Estate Regeneration Local Plan Document setting out the strategic planning framework to guide any estate regeneration proposals;

(b)    Consideration of the Council’s statutory powers where appropriate, to help deliver the proposed Estates Regeneration Local Plan.

4). Adopts revisions to Merton’s Local Development Scheme as the project plan and timetable to prepare the proposed Estates Regeneration Local Plan, subject to the Mayor of London’s approval.

5). Resolves to suspend the obligation in the Stock Transfer Agreement dated 22 March 2010 (“Transfer Agreement”) on the part of CHMP to carry out the Qualifying Works (as defined in the Transfer Agreement) at High Path (South Wimbledon), Eastfields (Mitcham) and Ravensbury (Morden) to comply with the Decent Homes Standard for a period of up to 18 months subject to there being no legal objection or obstacle, to enable CHMP to explore the viability of estate regeneration schemes for the above estates, an agreed programme to regenerate the subject properties and the planning position being concluded including the formulation of an Estates Regeneration Local Plan. The period of suspension will commence from the date of 9th July 2014 and will also have regard to the date upon which the Deed of Variation is completed.

6). Resolves that the Director of Environment and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environmental Sustainability and Regeneration be authorised to approve consultation documents prior to public consultation, publish the Local Development Scheme (subject to its approval be the Mayor of London and other consequential matters in accordance with the appropriate Regulations).

The Cabinet considered the report which sought to further explore an opportunity with Circle Housing Merton Priory Homes (CHMP) to improvement the levels of housing at three estates within the Borough namely High Path, Eastfields and Ravensbury.

CHMP were required to meet Decent Homes Standards (DHS) on the three estates by March 2015. Following an evaluation by CHMP of what was required to meet DHS it was deemed not financially or practicably feasible to raise them to the required standards, partly to the nature of the buildings. Instead a regeneration project had been proposed with the potential to provide much needed, higher quality housing as well as reduce the maintenance liability and long term burdens for leaseholders.

The report also provided further information including the proposed current offer to residents, how the Local Plan links to the estates regeneration, the housing supply and the property type, size and layout.

Councillor Judge emphasised that the Council has not made a decision on the regeneration project. There was a need however to temporarily suspend the decent homes standards for a period of 18 months for the three estates, whilst the further investigation work takes place. Once that was completed the Council would then make its decision as to whether to co-operate with the regeneration. If the Council decides not to support the regeneration, the decent homes standards obligations would immediately be reintroduced.

Ms Hays-Robinson, (a resident of High Path), addressed the Cabinet on the proposal. Her comments included that she and a number of other residents had grave concerns over the proposals, which were unwelcome. They had little faith in Circle housing, and felt they would be unable to deliver any improvements, and that there was no value in destroying the lovely red brick buildings in High Path for the sake of it.

The Leader addressed the concerns raised by saying that no final decisions on the regeneration proposal had been taken, and what was being proposed currently was simply to approve further explorations. He also stated that he was in talks with CHMP to gain 10 signed commitments for how CHMP would be supporting residents during the process.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet recommends that Council (09 July 2014):

1). Are updated on due diligence undertaken over the past six months by the London Borough of Merton (LBM) and Circle Housing Merton Priory (CHMP) officers working together.

2). That Council notes the significant opportunity this project represents to improve housing conditions for tenants, leaseholders and freeholders and the potential contribution to addressing wider housing provision pressures in Merton and London.

3). Agrees to proceed with exploration of estate regeneration schemes for Eastfields, High Path and Ravensbury via:

(a)    Preparation, in partnership with Circle Housing Merton Priory of a statutory Estate Regeneration Local Plan Document setting out the strategic planning framework to guide any estate regeneration proposals;

(b)    Consideration of the Council’s statutory powers where appropriate, to help deliver the proposed Estates Regeneration Local Plan.

4). Adopts revisions to Merton’s Local Development Scheme as the project plan and timetable to prepare the proposed Estates Regeneration Local Plan, subject to the Mayor of London’s approval.

5). Resolves to suspend the obligation in the Stock Transfer Agreement dated 22 March 2010 (“Transfer Agreement”) on the part of CHMP to carry out the Qualifying Works (as defined in the Transfer Agreement) at High Path (South Wimbledon), Eastfields (Mitcham) and Ravensbury (Morden) to comply with the Decent Homes Standard for a period of up to 18 months subject to there being no legal objection or obstacle, to enable CHMP to explore the viability of estate regeneration schemes for the above estates, an agreed programme to regenerate the subject properties and the planning position being concluded including the formulation of an Estates Regeneration Local Plan. The period of suspension will commence from the date of 9th July 2014 and will also have regard to the date upon which the Deed of Variation is completed.

6). Resolves that the Director of Environment and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environmental Sustainability and Regeneration be authorised to approve consultation documents prior to public consultation, publish the Local Development Scheme (subject to its approval be the Mayor of London and other consequential matters in accordance with the appropriate Regulations).