ADD393 Disposal of land at Chobham Manor by LLDC

Chobham Manor is the first residential neighbourhood on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It was selected to be brought forward because it is located adjacent to the new community at East Village and would not therefore suffer from isolation in the early years. In addition, the majority of the enabling infrastructure was in place immediately after transformation of the Park, minimising the cost burden on the developer.

The development comprises circa 828 units, split into three phases, which will include both market and affordable homes. Phase One and Two reserved matters applications have been approved, and Phase Three is due to be submitted to the Local Planning Authority by the end of quarter two 2016. The unit breakdown for Phase One is 180 private units and 79 affordable units (total 259 units) which are under construction and are becoming available in 2015/6. The unit breakdown for Phase Two is 184 private units and 23 affordable units (total 207 units). Chobham Manor as a whole will provide 28 per cent affordable housing.

Taylor Wimpey and London & Quadrant (acting through a special purpose vehicle limited liability Partnership guaranteed by their respective parent companies) were chosen as development partners in July 2012 following a procurement process carried out under the ’Competitive Dialogue’ Procedure under Regulation 18 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2006 and, ultimately, a decision by the Board. The development agreement provides for:
• LLDC to receive an agreed percentage of the total developer’s revenue (excluding affordable housing), which equates to a substantial capital receipt to LLDC over the life of the project; and
• delivery on a phased basis, with the LLDC retaining the land until the developer has reached the practical completion construction stage of making each block wind and watertight.

In respect of the second of these provisions, the project has now reached the stage where LLDC is disposing of the land. Under the terms of the London Legacy Development Corporation Governance Direction, issued by the Mayor in July 2013, such land disposals require the Mayor’s consent (delegated as appropriate).

This decision covers all such disposals and it will not be necessary for the LLDC to receive separate consents for each individual disposal.

Note that the original decision to enter into a development agreement with Taylor Wimpey and London & Quadrant predated the LLDC Governance Direction. Otherwise, prior consent for the land disposals would have been sought before the development agreement was entered into.

The project is entering its final planning stages and the objective of this decision is simply to ensure the terms of the development agreement are met in a way that also meets the governance requirements of the GLA and the LLDC.

The project itself has been subject to the following objectives:
• To achieve the highest quality of housing and estate management
• To achieve long-term viable development that maximises value for money and a return on capital for public sector investment
• To secure a Development Partner with the organisational and financial capability to deliver a scheme of exemplary design quality and environmental sustainability that will provide a blueprint for the development of the remaining zones to be brought forward in the Park
• To ensure that the development supports the social, economic and environmental regeneration of the surrounding communities, both during the construction phase, and in the longer term
• To achieve a start on site as soon as possible following the 2012 Games

There are no direct equality implications arising from this decision. Equalities considerations were taken into account in determining the scope and objectives of the initial project and in choosing the development partner.

The project will deliver a mix of different housing types, with both private and affordable homes to suit different incomes and lifestyles. The scheme will also provide a range of new community facilities including public open space, a children’s nursery, a community space and cafes/shops/leisure premises.

The scheme design meets LLDC’s Inclusive Design Standards and ongoing consultation is held with the LLDC Built Environment Access Panel to ensure that the needs of all those with protected characteristics are taken into account in the designs

Best consideration
At the time of signing the development agreement, Taylor Wimpey and London & Quadrant offered the highest percentage price of all the submissions received and LLDC’s external valuers, confirmed that the deal constituted best consideration for the Corporation. The individual disposals that are taking place now are made by Taylor Wimpey and London & Quadrant at market value and LLDC officers have confirmed they therefore represent best consideration.

Risks and issues
Risks and issues were considered throughout the procurement process and during the project’s tenure. Under the Development Agreement, LLDC is to transfer the freehold of houses to the developer’s purchaser. LLDC would therefore be in breach of this agreement should consent not be granted.

Links to Mayoral strategies and priorities
The Mayor’s London Plan states that ‘The Mayor will work with partners to develop and implement a viable and sustainable legacy for the Olympic and Paralympic Games to deliver fundamental economic, social and environmental change within East London. This will be London’s single most important regeneration project for the next 25 years.’ The delivery of housing at Chobham Manor is an important element of that priority.

5. Financial comments

The capital receipts from the disposal of Chobham Manor are a key component of LLDC’s capital income and hence a source for repayment of the loan funding that GLA is providing. Fifty per cent of the receipts from this disposal count against the cumulative total which determines when the GLA must start to repay the National Lottery under the agreement it has with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. LLDC has built the estimated receipts into its 10 year plan which is underwritten by the GLA as its principal funder. The receipts are based on the proceeds achieved from actual sales so there is some funding risk for the GLA if future sales are less than currently projected, either in their timing or quantum, for example from a downturn from current market conditions. This is subject to on-going review by LLDC.

6. Legal comments

No particular legal implications arise from the giving of consent for the disposal.

Supporting documents
London Legacy Development Corporation Governance Direction, MD1227
Mayoral Scheme of Delegation June 2015, MD1500 /md1500-mayoral-scheme-delegation

Development agreement with Taylor Wimpey and London & Quadrant