DD1511 Hale Village Settlement Agreement

1.1 In 2009 the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) invested in the Hale Village development at Tottenham Hale by virtue of the Investment Agreements. The Investment Agreements are now with GLAP as they were transferred under the Transfer Scheme following the devolution of the HCA in London and as provided under the Localism Act. As part of the security for the investment, GLAP holds a charge over the development until the terms of the agreement are fulfilled.

1.2 The loan facility agreement dated 8 April, 2009 (the Loan Agreement), was designed to help fund the redevelopment of the former industrial estate at Tottenham Hale. The further equity agreement dated 4 December 2009 (the Equity Agreement) was a further investment termed as an ‘equity stake’ within the agreement terms. Notably this is not a true equity investment, but an investment with the potential for uplift, but without guarantee of return.

1.3 The Investment Agreements are settled in two different ways. Firstly, the Loan Agreement is repaid on completion of the ‘Pavilions’, a series of 5 development parcels to the East of the scheme. Whereas, the Equity Agreement is repaid on gross receipts being generated from the site (capital or income based) and distributed according to a predetermined cascade of priority set out in the Equity Agreement.

1.4 LVE have successfully brought forward the current phases (known as ‘Pavilions 1 to 5’) of development in the scheme, with one remaining plot left for disposal known as ‘the Tower Site’. This is a frontage corner plot facing Tottenham Hale Station and has an existing consent for development of a 19 storey tower (18 plus ground floor).

1.5 LVE have exchanged and completed contracts with Bellway to deliver Pavilion 5 of the development scheme. Once the remaining receipts are received by LVE, the payment terms of the Equity Agreement are triggered and repayment is due.

1.6 Working with GLAP, LVE approached the market for potential development partners for this site and had identified Bellway as their preferred development partner for a landmark tower on this plot of approximately 30 storeys. However, due to a number of constrains, this deal did not come to fruition.

1.7 In the interim, a matching unconditional offer has been received for the Tower Site from Anthology’; a London based residential developer backed by Oaktree Capital Limited. LVE have decided to proceed to accept this offer.

1.8 The proposed new scheme meets the aspirations of the Borough and is in conformity with the vision for both the recently designated Tottenham Housing Zone and the Mayors adopted Upper Lea Valley Opportunity Area Planning Framework. The Tower site is specifically identified as a site for delivery of around 250 units and of a scheme of a height of approximately 30 storeys within the emerging Tottenham Area Action Plan (AAP) and its contained policies, which is currently at public consultation ‘Reg 19’ stage, with a view to a public inquiry in 2016 and result in adoption later that year. It is therefore fair to assume that any policy compliant scheme on this site would be approximately 30 storeys high and provide approximately 250 residential units, subject to a suitable planning approval.

1.9 The package proposed by Anthology would ultimately provide sufficient gross receipts to LVE to cover the settlement figure agreed (which represents the amounts due under both Investment Agreements).

1.10 Funding Resolution

1.11 LVE have proposed that the GLA releases its existing floating charge over the wider site and instead take first charge over the remaining tower site so that LVE can deal with the site as required to achieve the deal with Anthology which, in accordance with the full Red Book valuation undertaken by JLL on behalf of LVE and the GLA, would be of sufficient value to provide the GLA with securities to cover the settlement figure. Given the nature of Anthology’s funding, via an investment fund rather than a bank, the GLA’s charge will be able to take priority.

1.12 LVE expect a period of 3 months from release of the floating charge to allow papers to be prepared and agreed before the settlement figure is satisfied.

1.13 Doing so will mean the GLA’s monies to be repaid in a single payment at a point shortly after the exchange of contracts, rather than being spread across multiple milestones and contingencies as was originally proposed by Bellway who suggested a split payment post planning permission and post completion.

2.1 The original proposals for the Hale Village development, and subsequent funding, looked to deliver 1,210 residential units (including 30% affordable units) and 700 rooms of student accommodation, along with ancillary office, retail and community space. The current scheme has already delivered 1,100 residential units, of which 542 (49%) are affordable, as well as 1,200 rooms of student accommodation. The delivery of the Tower site would take forward a further 250 homes, of which a percentage confirmed at the planning application stage would be affordable, increasing both overall supply and affordable housing levels in the area.

2.2 The resolution to release the existing charges and secure a new charge on the Tower site will ensure the GLA continues to have sufficient security over the site to ensure the settlement is paid, whilst ensuring the ongoing viability of the development partner within the scheme and delivery of the remaining Tower site residential units.

2.3 This in turn will ultimately lead to the repayment of the monies owed to GLAP in full under the Investment Agreements, alongside securing the delivery of approximately 250 new homes within the Tottenham Housing Zone, approximately 50 units more than was anticipated in the original Housing Zone bid.

3.1 The proposed resolution to the existing funding agreement is aimed at delivering new housing units within Haringey, and the Tottenham Housing Zone, which in turn will help to implement the Mayor’s policies set out in the Mayor’s London Housing Strategy. In January 2014 the GLA published an Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA), including an equalities impact assessment, of that strategy. The policies related to increasing housing supply, of which this paper relates, were covered by the IIA for the Further Alterations to the London Plan.

3.2 The IIA concluded that updating housing projections and targets would support the delivery of sufficient housing and may help stabilise housing prices, supporting equal opportunities throughout communities. Furthermore, the provision of housing, including maximising the delivery of affordable housing, would be in line with other policies of the Plan (e.g. Policy 3.5), ensuring that the needs of different groups are taken into account in the housing design.

3.3 The delivery of 250 new homes (of which a percentage to be determined at the planning stage would be affordable) within the Housing Zone and particularly those facilitated on this site will help to implement Objectives 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the Mayor’s Equalities Framework “Equal Life Chances for All” (June 2014) through the creation of new homes, housing products and well-designed housing schemes.

3.4 Such homes, in line with the Housing Zone programme, would be designed to the Mayors Housing Design Guide standards, promoting accessibility for all and homes suitable for all users.

4.1 With regard to the potential levels of housing development proposed by Anthology within the scheme, it should be noted that the figures stated here do not prejudice any future Mayoral decisions on planning designations/de-designations or consideration of future planning applications.

5.1 There are several reasons for the proposal of the changing of our charge over the land as part of the development, but the most important one is mentioned in section 1 of part 1, of this report. This is that the viability of the developer would be jeopardised if this change was not put in place.

5.2 Secondly this proposal will make the construction of 250 dwellings more certain and therefore help achieve the mayor’s target of 42,000 dwellings.

5.3 Further comment relating to the commercial elements of this deal is contained in in Part 2 of this report.

6.1 Section 30 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (as amended) (GLA Act) gives the Mayor a general power to do anything which he considers will further one or more of the principal purposes of the GLA as set out in section 30(2) which are:

i. Promoting economic development and wealth creation in Greater London;
ii. Promoting social development in Greater London; and
iii. Promoting the improvement of the environment in Greater London

and, in formulating the proposals in respect of which a decision is sought, officers confirm they have complied with the GLA’s related statutory duties to:

• pay due regard to the principle that there should be equality of opportunity for all people;
• consider how the proposals will promote the improvement of health of persons in Greater London, promote the reduction of health inequalities between persons living in Greater London, contribute towards the achievement of sustainable development in the United Kingdom and contribute towards the mitigation of or adaptation to climate change in the United Kingdom; and
• Consult with appropriate bodies.

6.2 Sections 1 to 4 of this report and section 7 of the reserved section of this report indicate that GLAP and the Mayor has the power to proceed to make the decisions as requested within this report.

1. The next steps following consideration by HIG are summarised below: