Key information
Decision type: Assistant Director
Reference code: ADD285
Date signed:
Decision by: Jamie Ratcliff, Assistant Director, Housing
Executive summary
Gallions 4 is a long thin site of approximately 1.22 Ha in the Royal Albert Basin that is currently vacant. As the site has a number of constraints GLA Land and Property (GLAP) would like to carry out some early feasibility works and due diligence in advance of seeking the views of the market on appropriate development for the site.
As agreed at budget prioritisation and part of the 2015-16 budget setting process, £50,000 will be funded from savings within the Land & property programme revenue budget for expenditure in 2015-16 and 2016-17.
Decision
That the Assistant Director approves expenditure of up to £50K on the items listed in this paper in order that the GLA may be in an informed position to begin marketing the Gallions 4 site in the Royal Albert Basin.
Part 1: Non-confidential facts and advice
1.1 Gallions 4 is a site in the Royal Albert Basin, in the eastern end of the Royal Docks. A site plan is included at Appendix A. GLAP are in contract with Notting Hill Housing Trust for two major residential schemes in the vicinity and in contract with One Housing Group on one smaller scheme adjacent to the site. These are scheduled to deliver approximately 800 units to the market when complete. We are also considering development options for the nearby Gallions 3b and Armada 2 sites.
1.2 Options for this site are being considered (and will be subject to Housing Investment Group approval in due course) and we require budget for due diligence, including a feasibility study, budget for any potential marketing we may need to undertake and legal work.
2014-15 and 2015-16
• Title review and legal support, up to £10K
• Feasibility Study, up to £20K
• Ongoing legal support/contract, up to £20K
1.3 The total lifetime spend is up to £50K and will be contained within the allocated budget limits.
2.1 The objective of this is to ensure that we have performed adequate due diligence on the site in advance of marketing it with the aim of carrying out a successful procurement. The expected outcome of these pieces of work is to ensure that we have the information required to market the site in the most appropriate manner.
3.1 Equalities considerations will be taken into account in that all work will be procured in accordance with GLA best practice. At the appropriate time the marketing of the site will also be subject to the same considerations.
4.1 The Mayor has made a commitment to dispose of all developable sites where appropriate.
5.1 This paper requests approval to spend up to £50,000 on feasibility and other professional fees in respect of the Gallions 4 site disposal plan.
5.2 This expenditure is revenue in nature and will be met from within the existing approved revenue programme budgets for Land & Property.
As this request for funds comprises a number of instructions they will all have different timescales. I have set out some key milestones
Appendix A: Site Plan (included in signed decision form PDF)
Signed decision document
ADD285 Gallions 4 Expenditure (signed) PDF