Decision details

Sale of site of former Rosehill Primary School, Walton Drive, Marple to the highest bidder under the revised offer

Decision Maker: Service Director (Legal & Democratic Services)

Decision status: Recommendations approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: No

Decision:

The Service Director (Legal, Democratic, Property and Information), in consultation with the Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) has approved the sale of the site of the former Rosehill Primary School, Walton Drive, to the previous highest bidder under a revised offer.

 

In February 2009 the Executive approved the extension and modernisation of the Elmfield Drive location to accommodate the staff and pupils from the Walton Drive location. On 16th July 2013 the Executive agreed to the disposal of the Walton Drive site for residential development to the highest bidder.

 

Subsequent site investigations by the bidder identified that certain abnormal costs would be incurred in developing the site. The Council has satisfied itself that these abnormal costs are justified.

 

Additionally, the bidder will lose one unit from the development as a consequence of providing an adoptable highway to simplify the use and development of the Councils retained land in the future, should this be contemplated.

 

As a result the approved offer as detailed in the exempt appendix to the report has been reduced but still remains higher than the under bidder. In accordance with the provisions of S.123 LGA 1972 (best price) it is appropriate to consider the highest bid made for the purchase of the land.

Alternative options considered:

Reject the revised offer and expose the site to the market again. The current top bidder may decide to withdraw from the transaction which may leave the Council having to consider a possible lower offer from another party. In addition there would be a time implication from remarketing the site which will delay the Council receiving the receipt from the sale.

Interests and Nature of Interests Declared:

None

Wards Affected: Marple North;

Equality and/or Environmental Impact Assessment: Not applicable

Decision Reference: ODCS12

Forward Plan Reference: CCCS2

Other reasons / organisations consulted

Consultation already undertaken with Executive Councillor, Children & Young People July 2008/Executive’s endorsement of the Council’s Primary Capital Investment Programme July 2008/ Report to Executive 2 Feb 2009.

Further consultation with Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee prior to consideration by the Executive

Contact: Murray Carr, Corporate and Support Services Email: murray.carr@stockport.gov.uk Tel: 0161-474-3019.

Publication date: 17/03/2014

Date of decision: 12/03/2014

Accompanying Documents: