Acquisition of Land for the Delivery of Affordable Homes

1.      that the
Director of Finance, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for
Housing and Finance, and the Director of Pride in Place be granted
delegated authority, to acquire on appropriate terms the site
identified in Exempt Appendix 1, from the £1.2m revenue
reserve allocated to support affordable housing delivery by Cabinet
and Council in May 2025.

2.      that the
Director of Pride in Place bring forward proposals for how the site
will be developed at the earliest opportunity.

The site offered a
timely opportunity to address the significant shortfall in
affordable housing and reduce reliance on costly temporary
accommodation.  In doing so, the
acquisition of the site supported Torbay’s Housing Strategy
and Delivery Plan, contributing to the goal of delivering more and
better affordable homes.

The alternative option
would be to not proceed with the acquisition, thereby avoiding
capital risk but missing the opportunity to address housing need,
potentially damaging the Council’s reputation and delaying
progress toward Local Plan targets. 
This option was discounted.

This decision will
come into force and may be implemented on 2 September 2025 unless
the call-in procedure is triggered (as set out in the Standing
Orders in relation to Overview and Scrutiny).

A site in Brixham has
become available for acquisition by the Council for the future
development of approximately 14 affordable homes. The site was
identified as a well-located, sustainable infill plot,
suitable for social rent housing. The acquisition was to be funded
from the £1.2 million ringfenced housing revenue
reserve, with no additional borrowing required, unlocking new
housing supply, reducing pressure on temporary accommodation, and
support inclusive growth and community wellbeing.

At the meeting
Councillor Tyerman proposed and Councillor Bye seconded a motion
that was agreed unanimously by the Cabinet, as set out above.