Decision details

RESOLVED that:

A     Cabinet recommended to Full Council that, in principle, the Council agrees to use powers available to it under section 226(1)(a) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to compulsorily purchase land within the District to support development where in conformity with the Harlow Local Development Plan (subject to its adoption) in order to achieve the planning benefits set out within the Plan.Noting that this in no way predetermines or circumvents the formal planning process.

B    Cabinet recommended to Full Council that, in principle, where Harlow District Council is landowner, or through the process of acquisition (including under CPO) would become landowner, the Council agrees to retain ownership but grant licence for infrastructure works on that land provided that:

             i)        The infrastructure is intended for a public purpose, benefit or public adoption;

            ii)        there are no legal restrictions preventing this from happening;

           iii)        it does not materially undermine another purpose for which the Council requires the land or there are compelling reasons to dispose of a freehold interest; and

           iv)        Where appropriate, the Council receives appropriate costs/compensation, indemnities and other arrangements considered necessary.

C    Subject to East Herts District Council resolving to follow the same course of action, Cabinet recommended to Council that, in principle, it also agrees to use the powers set out in recommendation A should that be necessary to compulsorily purchase land in the Burnt Mill and River Way areas of the District, to enable the construction of transport infrastructure to support development in the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town including the delivery of The Gilston Area allocation and The River Stort Crossings in the East Herts District Plan and the achievement of the wider strategic planning benefits referred to in the report including supporting the future Harlow Local Development Plan.

D    Cabinet and Council note that officers will prepare for any possible Compulsory Purchase Order(s) (CPO) including any associated Indemnities on behalf of the Council in accordance with the agreements under Recommendations A and C; and, where considered necessary to make a CPO, the Head of Governance, in consultation with other Heads of Service of the Council as may be necessary, will bring each matter back to Cabinet seeking authority to do so.

E     Cabinet delegate authority to the Head of Finance and Property and Deputy to the Chief Executive, in consultation with other Heads of Service as may be necessary, to negotiate and agree and legally complete lease or licence or other arrangements for the delivery of infrastructure works on its land on a case by case basis on behalf of the Council in accordance with the agreement under Recommendation B.