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New firm to lead Scarborough's Middle Deepdale housing scheme
A NEW company is to be formed to carry on work on the 1,200-home Middle Deepdale development in Eastfield, following fears it could be derailed by archaeological work.
In order to keep the huge housing project moving forward, Scarborough Council has agreed to let developers Kebbell form a new company in partnership with Doncaster-based social regeneration company Keepmoat.
Last week's cabinet meeting heard the project faced delays after concerns the land may contain potentially important remains of an early Iron Age or early-Romano British ladder village.
The planned site is made up of two tranches of land, one owned by Kebbell. The other – currently part of High Eastfield Farm – is the property of the council. The affected area is made up of 13.5 acres of the 43 acre council-owned portion of the land.
Experts have predicted a 20 per cent chance the remains are of such high importance the area would be unsuitable for development. If there are any changes to the Middle Deepdale masterplan because of the archaeological work the council will undertake a review to see if further public consultation is necessary.
The new company – at this stage named K2 – will submit a single planning proposal in respect of the whole development on behalf of Kebbell and the council. K2 will also accept the risk of development of the council-owned land failing to get planning consent – an outline planning application is expected in December.
K2 will also take responsibility for commissioning consultancy advice on the project.
The formation of K2 limits the council's future financial exposure to 150,000 of funds which are already allocated to the project from the authority's capital budget.
Any cash paid by K2 in fees to obtain planning consent would be paid out of surpluses achieved from the development.
Keepmoat, which has an established background in social building, would take charge of delivering the community elements of the scheme. These include affordable housing – 40 per cent of the development is planned as affordable – and the construction of an after-care unit including a gym/fitness suite, a hydrotherapy pool and rooms for visiting health professionals.
Eastfield councillor Brian Simpson said: "Any indications that come out of the archaeological dig, if they do find something, will result in the plans being changed. A massive consultation has been done in Eastfield on the basis of the plans that already exists. Middle Deepdale needs to be developed as one site. I don't want to see Kebbell going ahead with its own planning application and I don't think the people of Eastfield would support them."
Paula Broadbent, Keepmoat's business development manager said: "The proposal, which received the council's support, will see Kebbell and Keepmoat work under a joint venture partnership as K2. They will work closely with partners to deliver specialist housing for vulnerable and older people as well a host of community facilities and new affordable homes for the area.
“We are pleased at the decision taken by local members and excited by the vision and aspirations the council has for the future of this area.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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