AGENDA ITEM NO.
1.
REPORT TO:
REPORT NO:
DATE:
LEAD OFFICER:
CONTACT OFFICER:
SUBJECT:
WARD:
PURPOSE OF THE REPORT
Executive Board
SD/PSR/03/05
1 February 2005
Paul Roberts, Strategic Director
Denise Garland (Ext 7214)
Former School Land, Penygelli Road, Coedpoeth
Coedpoeth
To consider the disposal of an area of surplus Education land at Penygelli Road, Coedpoeth.
2.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
2.1
The area of land off Penygelli Road, Coedpoeth, which is shown hatched on Appendix 1, was declared surplus to education requirements by the former Clwyd County Council. The land originally formed part of a larger area of school playing field, which was to be disposed of for residential development. However this area of land was not required as part of the development and remained within the ownership of the Council.
2.2
Subsequently with the surplus land being unused and remote from any other Council land it has become overgrown.
2.3
An adjoining owner has registered his interest in the land for garden purposes, but following consultations with the Transportation and Engineering department and the Planning
Department the land is considered, in principle, to be suitable for a single residential building plot.
3.
RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1 That the Property Planning Services Manager seeks outline planning permission for a single residential plot on the area of land shown hatched on Appendix 1.
3.2
That subject to the granting of outline permission, the Property Planning Services
Manager be authorised to dispose of the area of land shown hatched on Appendix 1 on the open market on terms and conditions to be settled by the Valuation and Commercial
Services Manager.

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
The area of land is overgrown and isolated from other Council owned land within the vicinity and therefore not considered viable for any alternative use by Wrexham Council. The disposal of the land will remove a maintenance liability and provide a capital receipt.
Paul Roberts
Strategic Director
4. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
4.1
The area of land off Penygelli Road, Coedpoeth, which is shown hatched on Appendix 1, was declared surplus by the former Clwyd County Council.
4.2
The area of land formed part of a larger area of surplus School playing field, which was to be disposed of for residential development. However this area was not required by the successful developer and remained within the ownership of the Council.
4.3
The land has subsequently become overgrown and is not deemed suitable for any alternative use by the Council.
4.4
An adjoining owner has registered his interest in purchasing the land for garden purposes.
However in order to achieve best value consultations were undertaken to establish if the land would be suitable for a single residential dwelling.
4.5
Consultations indicate support in principle for the development of the land for a single residential dwelling.
5.
CONSULTATION
5.1 Consultation has taken place with the Education Department, Local Members, the Planning
Department and the Transportation and Engineering Department. All responses received have supported the proposal to dispose of the land for either residential development or garden purposes.
6.
7.
SCRUTINY COMMITTEE COMMENTS
6.1
Not applicable
IMPLICATIONS
Policy Framework
This proposal is supported in the Council’s Policy Framework through the Asset Management Plan, which seeks to reduce/eliminate the holding of underused and surplus property in accordance with the Audit Commission Report.
7.2 Budget/Finance There will be no budgetary implications. The planning application fees and any associated costs of the disposal will be deducted from the capital receipt.
7.3
Legal The legal department has been consulted and there are no known legal implications.
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7.4 Staffing There are no direct staffing implications as a result of this report.
8. EVALUATION OF OPTIONS
8.1
Option 1 leaves the status quo, which continues to create a maintenance liability.
8.2
Option 2 allows the land to be disposed of for a single residential plot thus achieving best value.
8.3
Option 3 allows for the disposal of the land at a reduce value subject to a covenant that the land is used for garden purposes only.
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