SUMMARY/PURPOSE
1.
This report seeks approval for the Council to sell its
land known as Chale Recreation Ground, Military Road, Chale.
BACKGROUND
2.
When Cliff Farm, Chale was sold the Council retained
ownership of the field now used as the recreation ground and for the Chale
Show. The field measures approximate
7.3 hectares (being some 18.07 acres) and identified as ordnance survey field
numbers SZ47778578 and SZ47770072. The
site is leased to Chale Parish Council for use as a recreation ground planning
permission has been granted.
3.
The existing lease provides an option for the Parish
Council to acquire the site before the expiry of the lease which is for a term
of 28 years from September 1997.
4.
Use of the site as a recreation facility has been
ongoing over the years and the Chale Recreation Ground Association has been
raising funds to purchase the field for the benefit of the local community.
5.
The Association has entered into negotiations with the
Council, independent evaluation advice has been received and on 30 August 2005
the Cabinet authorised the Cabinet member for Resources to approve the terms
that would be for the purpose of maximising a capital receipt to the Council
and the release of surplus asset.
STRATEGIC CONTEXT
6.
Whilst the Parish Council already has the option to
acquire this land, by supporting the proposed terms the Isle of Wight Council
will be supporting the local community to take forward improvement and
investment.
7.
The Council will also be securing long term public
open space and amenity in an area of high landscape value.
8.
The sale of this land will satisfy a number of Council
objectives in the Aim High Change Plan including making the best use of
resources and enabling local communities as partners sharing responsibility for
safer communities and enhancing the environment.
CONSULTATION
9.
Consultation on the transaction has been with the
Parish Council, the local member as well as Council services. No adverse comments have been received.
PROPOSED
TERMS
10.
The Purchaser is agreeable to the following sale
conditions:
·
The land being acquired for the benefit of the local
community, the freehold will merge with the existing lease, the property is
within an area of outstanding natural beauty and adjacent a heritage coastline
and the Purchaser agrees to help support these designations in terms of the
ongoing land use and its management.
·
The Council reserves the right to have use of the
field for up to two weeks of any one year for the purpose of holding open air
events. The Council would need to
obtain all necessary consents for this purpose.
·
The Council shall have the first right to re-acquire
the property at the then open market value should the Purchaser propose to
transfer the property in the future.
All subject to an arbitrational provision if required.
·
The Council as Highway Authority reserves the right to
widen and improve the route of the Military Road over a strip of land up to a
depth of 10 metres fronting the highway.
·
Each party will be responsible for their own costs.
·
Monetary consideration to be the sum of £44,000 (forty
four thousand pounds).
FINANCIAL/BUDGET
IMPLICATIONS
11.
Capital receipt from the sale of this property would
need to offset against the parting amount which is £815 per annum currently.
LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
12.
The Council has power to sell this land under Section
123 of the Local Government Act 1972.
The sale has no implications under Human Rights, Crime and Disorder or
Race Relations Acts.
OPTIONS
(i)
The Council agrees to the terms set out above.
(ii)
The Council continues to retain the ownership of the
property.
EVALUATION/RISK
MANAGEMENT
13.
Over the years the Council has identified no service
need to use or have use of this field.
14.
Since the lease began the local community has become
involved with the provision of this site as a local amenity. They have levelled the ground, planted
grassland, restored new fencing and undertaken a comprehensive planting
programme.
15.
The current use of the field through the Association
has brought regular events to the area not least the Chale Show, Chale Kite
Festival and various horse and pony shows, as well as car boot sales and many
other occasional uses. These have all
contributed to the local economy and more widely to the Island’s tourism
market.
16.
The site also has some useful links for rights of way
and walkers and the ongoing management through the Association has contributed
to this facility and is linked with the area of outstanding natural beauty as
well as the heritage coastline have been well maintained.
17.
By working with the Association and with the
undertakings given above, the Council will be able to sustain the planning
policies designated for the area without the need to retain ownership.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
18.
Option (i).
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BACKGROUND PAPERS
19.
Cabinet decision 30 October 2005.
Contact
Point : Tony Flower, Head of Property
Services, '823263,
email [email protected]
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TONY FLOWER
Head of Property Services
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COUNCILLOR
JILLY WOOD
Cabinet Member for Resources, Audit, An Efficient
Council and Customer Champion
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