Issue - meetings

To consider surplus property disposals and objection to the disposal of Public Open Space at Grasscroft, Almondbury.

Wards affected: Almondbury, Ashbrow, Batley East, Birstall & Birkenshaw, Crosland Moor & Netherton, Dewsbury East, Dewsbury South, Greenhead, Heckmondwike, Holme Valley South, Lindley, Mirfield, Newsome.

Contact: Alistair Kimpton, Strategic Manager – Logistics

RESOLVED –

1)    That approval be given to the disposal of the land and property within the Supplementary Capital Receipts Schedule 2025/2026 to support the Council’s income targets.

2)    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Place in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Regeneration, to negotiate and agree terms and complete the sales of any land and property identified within the Supplementary Capital Receipts Schedule 2025/2026.

3)    That, having considered and dismissed the objection to the disposal of public open space, approval be given to the disposal of the land at Grasscroft, Almondbury, shown edged red on the plan at Appendix B of the considered report.

4)    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Place to negotiate and agree terms and complete the sale of the land at Grasscroft, Almondbury.

5)    That authority be delegated to the Service Director – Legal, Governance and Commissioning to enter into all agreements necessary to effect any of the disposals approved in (1) and (3).

6)    That the highway improvement lines as shown in the plan at Appendix C and as identified in paragraphs 2.20 - 2.22 of the considered report be revoked.

Cabinet considered a report which sought approval to bring forward a Supplementary Capital Receipts Schedule for 2025/26, identifying additional surplus property assets to support the Council’s capital receipts target of £6 million for the financial year. The report outlined the strategic importance of continuing to rationalise the Council’s estate to reduce long-term revenue commitments and support regeneration.

Cabinet noted the statutory requirement to consider an objection received in response to the proposed disposal of public open space at Grasscroft, Almondbury. The objection, which included a petition signed by 36 residents, raised concerns about potential future development, environmental impact, and the loss of greenbelt land. However, it was noted that the objection did not identify any current recreational use or amenity value of the land.

Cabinet also considered the revocation of highway improvement lines at Walkley Lane, Heckmondwike, which were no longer required. The removal of the lines would enable the land to be sold without restriction, thereby improving its marketability.

RESOLVED –

1)    That approval be given to the disposal of the land and property within the Supplementary Capital Receipts Schedule 2025/2026 to support the Council’s income targets.

2)    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Place in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Regeneration, to negotiate and agree terms and complete the sales of any land and property identified within the Supplementary Capital Receipts Schedule 2025/2026.

3)    That, having considered and dismissed the objection to the disposal of public open space, approval be given to the disposal of the land at Grasscroft, Almondbury, shown edged red on the plan at Appendix B of the considered report.

4)    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Place to negotiate and agree terms and complete the sale of the land at Grasscroft, Almondbury.

5)    That authority be delegated to the Service Director – Legal, Governance and Commissioning to enter into all agreements necessary to effect any of the disposals approved in (1) and (3).

6)    That the highway improvement lines as shown in the plan at Appendix C and as identified in paragraphs 2.20 - 2.22 of the considered report be revoked.