Decision details

The Housing Manager submitted a report seeking approval to close the Chester Street Garage Site and to bring the site forward for residential development. The report noted that the Chester Street Garage Site was currently owned by the Housing General Fund and used as a “plot garage site” where 46 garage plots were available for rent at £45.90 a year allowing tenants to erect their own garage on the site. The Housing Manager advised that the garage site was currently in a very poor condition with a worn and potholed tarmac surface and that many of the garages were either derelict or empty. A survey of the site had shown that many of the garages were being used for storage of a variety of items other than cars which was in breach of the tenancy agreement for the use of the garage plots. The poor quality of the garages and the access routes also meant the site was very unsightly and created an unattractive environment for the residents of the surrounding properties.

The report included details of the options that had been considered for the future of the site which included the development of the site into a pay and display car park, refurbishment and retention of a garage site and the site being sold to a developer for residential development. The Housing Manager advised that after assessing the costs of each option it was recommended that the garage site should be cleared and sold to a developer for residential development. This option also positively contributed to the achievement of the objectives and priorities of Chesterfield Borough Council, as set out in the Council Plan, on the basis that clearing the unsightly and dilapidated garages would improve the quality of life for local residents and the residential development of the site would also contribute to increasing the supply of housing in Chesterfield.

*RESOLVED –

That the Chester Street garage site be closed and sold for residential development.

REASON FOR DECISION

To meet the council’s priority ‘to improve the quality of life for local people’ and objective 5 ‘To increase the supply and quality of housing in Chesterfield Borough to meet current and future needs.