Part 1 (Open to the public)
ITEM NO.
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REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR FOR
CUSTOMER AND SUPPORT SERVICES
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TO THE DEPUTY CITY MAYOR (PROPERTY) AT HIS MEETING
ON THURSDAY 20TH DECEMBER 2012
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TITLE: SURPLUS PROPERTY – LAND AT THE JUNCTION OF MILTON STREET
AND CROMWELL ROAD, ECCLES
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RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the Deputy City Mayor approves the following:
1. That the council declares the land at the junction of Milton Street and
Cromwell Road Eccles surplus to its requirements and instructs Urban Vision
accordingly.
2. That Urban Vision approach the owner of the former Eccles Baths, which is
adjacent to the council’s site, to establish if an agreement for disposal to a
special purchaser can be made.
3. That a period of two months is given for an agreement to be reached.
4. That the property by marketed for sale by informal tender, at the same time,
but subject to an agreement being reached with the special purchaser.
5. That if agreement is not reached with the special purchaser or by informal
tender, consideration should be given to the disposal of the site by way of
Public auction.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The site is located on Milton Street and is adjacent to the former Eccles Public
Baths. The site was formerly part of the highway but following highway works in 1994
an informal off street parking area was created.
However, the site is under used and is considered to be of no operational or strategic
value to the council and is considered to be surplus to the holding directorate’s
requirements.
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The One Council Team has considered the potential options for the future use of this
asset including retention and or re-use by the City Council and disposal. It has
recommended that the Deputy City Mayor approves the above recommendations.
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BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS:
(Available for public inspection)
Option appraisal form sent to One Council Team members for consideration on the
4th December 2012.
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KEY DECISION:
NO
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DETAILS:
TITLE: SURPLUS PROPERTY – LAND AT THE JUNCTION OF MILTON STREET
AND CROMWELL ROAD, ECCLES
BACKGROUND
The area of land shown edged red on the attached plan comprises of 330 Sq. ms.
and was acquired in 1880 as part of the Eccles Public Baths scheme. The Public
Baths were sold in 1989 and at that time the subject land formed part of the Public
Highway.
Highway works were carried out to narrow Milton Street in 1994 and an informal off
street parking area was created. This land is tarmaced with bollards to the south of
the site; access is gained from Milton Street. The land is currently used by local
residents and users of the former public baths for car parking.
Electrical and Water services run through the site, which is a maintenance liability to
the City Council and has little if any development potential. The site could potentially
be of interest to the adjoining occupier.
The land is of no operational or strategic value to the council and is considered to be
surplus to the holding directorate’s requirements. Urban Vision has been requested
to provide an option appraisal regarding the possible options for the site.
TITLE
The land is unregistered at the Land Registry and the legal team are unable to locate
the Deed Packet. The council is in the process of registering the land as part of the
Voluntary Registration Project. There is a nominal fee to register the land.
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A street closure application was granted in 1994 for the site which enabled the
highway works to be implemented.
PLANNING
Planning state that the site is situated within a predominantly residential area and is
not allocated in the city's Unitary Development Plan. Therefore, if the site were to be
developed for any purpose, residential would seem to be the most suitable.
However, issues relating to 1) the building line along Milton Street, 2) how any
development would relate to the gable end of 21 Cromwell Road and 3) any parking
problems that could arise from the development of this site, would all have to be
satisfactorily addressed in the first instance if a planning application were to be
successful.
OPTIONS
The land is considered to be surplus to requirements. Options associated with the
site are as follows:
1. To retain the land for its current use as off street parking.
2. To approach the owner of the former Eccles Baths, which is adjacent to the
council’s site, to establish if an agreement for disposal to a special purchaser
can be made.
3. To dispose of the land by way of Informal Tender.
4. To dispose of the land by way of Public Auction.
Prior to implementing any of the options it is recommended that the registration of
the land with the Land Registry is completed.
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KEY COUNCIL POLICIES: Salford City Council’s Asset Management Plan.
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COMMUNITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND IMPLICATIONS: The most effective
use of the Council’s assets impacts positively on the community and community
groups.
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ASSESSMENT OF RISK: LOW
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SOURCE OF FUNDING: N/A
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LEGAL IMPLICATIONS: Supplied by Norman Perry, City Solicitors Department,
Manchester City Council Tel. No. 0161-219 6316
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There seems to be no reason why the Council should not dispose of this property
once a registered title has been obtained. However, care must be taken to ensure
that the price obtained represents best value and no sale at an undervalue takes
place.
I may be that when the intention to dispose of this site is made public, objections and
claims may be forthcoming from those persons who park on the site.
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FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Supplied by Stephen Bayley Ext 2584
Sale of the land will realise a capital receipt and release the Council from
maintenance liabilities.
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OTHER DIRECTORATES CONSULTED:
All Directorates consulted. No adverse
comments received.
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CONTACT OFFICER: Russ Nutter
TEL. NO. 2321
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WARD(S) TO WHICH REPORT RELATE(S): Eccles
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