Issue - meetings

Peter Stuart, Head of Corporate Resources introduced the report and advised Cabinet that Hurst Farm had been bought by the Council in the 1990s.  He noted that Haywards Heath has grown and the Council have been working to market the land for residential developments as it forms part of the Council’s five year housing land supply.  The report before Cabinet is to recommend that the land is sold to a developer for a residential development which is detailed in the Exempt report as the information is highly commercially confidential.

Tom Clark, Head of Regulatory Services highlighted that the land had been advertised as open space land and no objections had been received.

The Leader noted that the Cabinet were sitting as the land owner.

The Cabinet Member for Community noted that the report highlighted the longer term strategic aims of the Council. The land had been purchased by the Council and was included in the Neighbourhood Plan. He confirmed that receiving no objections to the advertisement was significant.

The Cabinet Member for Economic Growth agreed with the comments made by Cabinet Member for Community and asked for assurance that the development would be carried out in professional way and to a high standard which would benefit the town.

The Head of Corporate Resources confirmed that this was a planning matter and they had done as much as possible to secure the best outcome for the Council.

The Leader confirmed that this was a good example of partnership working with the Town and County Council as the development would have many public benefits, including a school, cemetery, park, allotments and open space.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning noted that the development would provide a development with public access to open space which will be a benefit to the community.

The Head of Regulatory Services advised that the Section 106 agreement will be a standard agreement and will comply with policy requirements and regulations.

The Cabinet Member for Customer Services noted that the sale of the land would safeguard the financial future of the Council for the benefit of the residents of Mid Sussex.