Agenda item - New Homes for Neighbourhoods Modular Pilot - Y:Cube proposal

Report of Executive Director Economy, Environment & Culture (copy attached).

That Housing & New Homes Committee recommend to Policy, Resources and Growth Committee:

1)       That the land at Eastergate Road, Brighton as identified in the plan at Appendix 1 be made available for leasing for the development of affordable rented housing.

2)       That there be delegated authority to the Executive Directors for Economy, Environment & Culture, Finance and Resources and Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing (in consultation with each other) to enter into the necessary contracts with YMCA DownsLink Group to lease the largely cleared council housing garage site at Eastergate Road, Brighton in order to secure the building of modular Y:Cube homes for affordable rent by the YMCA. The granting of the lease is subject to YMCA DownsLink Group obtaining planning consent, funding and entering into a nominations agreement with the council.

9.1     The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment and Culture which sought approval to lease the Eastergate Road site to YMCA DownsLink Group in order for it to develop (subject to planning) 21 Y:Cube homes to let within affordable rent levels as transitional accommodation to help young, single young people from Brighton & Hove move towards fully independent living and to which the council would have 50% nomination rights.  The report was presented by the Estate Regeneration Project Manager who showed slides of the site and proposed scheme.

9.2     Councillor Mears considered it an excellent scheme which her group would support. She acknowledged that the site was challenging but considered that the proposal from the YMCA was ideal for young people and would give them a sense of purpose.

9.3     Councillor Moonan thanked officers for the report. She considered it an excellent scheme and an exciting partnership with the YMCA.

9.4     Councillor Gibson commented that he had visited the Y:Cube scheme in Mitcham and found it very pleasant accommodation.  His group supported the scheme wholeheartedly.  Councillor Gibson stated that he would like to see more non-traditional design. It would be even better if the schemes were produced by the council.  Councillor Gibson noted that there had been good consultation with the community.

9.5     The Chair stated that she was a ward councillor and welcomed this new innovative way of housing young people in the city.

9.6     RESOLVED:-

That Housing & New Homes Committee recommend to Policy, Resources and Growth Committee:

(1)      That the land at Eastergate Road, Brighton as identified in the plan at Appendix 1 be made available for leasing for the development of affordable rented housing.

(2)      That there be delegated authority to the Executive Directors for Economy, Environment & Culture, Finance and Resources and Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing (in consultation with each other) to enter into the necessary contracts with YMCA DownsLink Group to lease the largely cleared council housing garage site at Eastergate Road, Brighton in order to secure the building of modular Y:Cube homes for affordable rent by the YMCA. The granting of the lease is subject to YMCA DownsLink Group obtaining planning consent, funding and entering into a nominations agreement with the council.