ADD252 Gallions 3B Expenditure

1.1 Gallions 3B (G3B) is a site in the Royal Albert Basin, in the eastern end of the Royal Docks. A site plan is included at Appendix A. The GLA are in contract with Notting Hill Housing Trust for two major residential schemes in the vicinity and in contract with One Housing Group on one smaller scheme adjacent to the site. These are scheduled to deliver approximately 800 units to the market when complete.

1.2 Options for the site are being considered (and will be subject to HIG approval in due course) but it is proposed that the site is marketed for a residential scheme through either the LDP (London Development Panel) or through a restricted OJEU. The site benefits from river frontage and has been fully remediated. Constraints include a Port of London Authority (PLA) radar mast, a substation, and the proximity of an area of land that has been safeguarded for the proposed Beckton Reach river crossing to the immediate north of the site. The fact that this is at an early stage of planning represents a significant risk to potential developers as timescales and the design are not yet known.

1.3 As the site is of a relatively small size, and as a result of the large number of units scheduled for completion 2018 – 2021, options for a more innovative development scheme are being explored, such as Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) in order to differentiate from the offer already in the pipeline. The various options will be thoroughly tested and approval sought at HIG.

1.4 Expenditure of up to £50k is required as part of the due diligence to be completed before and during marketing of the site. This comprises of;

14-15
• Title review and Legal support ahead of contracting with a developer- £20K
• Specialist advice: MMC delivery methods, Environment Agency river wall restrictions, PLA radar mast restrictions - £20K

15-16
• Ongoing legal support - £10K

2.1 The objective of this is to ensure that the GLA has performed adequate due diligence on the site in advance of marketing it with the aim of carrying out a successful procurement. The expected outcome of these pieces of work is to ensure that the information required to market the site in the most appropriate manner is available.

3.1 Equalities considerations will be taken into account in that all work will be procured in accordance with GLA best practice. At the appropriate time the marketing of the site will also be subject to the same considerations.

a) Given the uncertainties surrounding the river crossing there is the risk that these pieces of work will be instructed and will be abortive due of lack of interest in the site. This is mitigated by the fact that any work instructed will be at least partly relevant for development on site at any point in the future.
b) The Mayor has made a commitment to dispose of all developable sites for housing where appropriate.
c) We are consulting with relevant stakeholders and an Albert Basin steering group has been set up to ensure key decisions are considered by all parties.

5.1 This site has an earmarked budget of £40k in 2014/15 and £10k in 2015/16 from the Land and Property revenue budget, within which the expenditure detailed in this paper can be met.

5.2 The expenditure will be managed by the Strategic Projects and Property team in Housing and land.

6.1 As this request for expenditure comprises a number of instructions with differing timescales, the key milestones are set out below;