To approve the scope and cost of the first stage of appraisal services to be provided by the council’s developer partner, Keepmoat Homes, in respect of a potential project to deliver new housing on the former education campus at Holme Lacy.

The Herefordshire Economic Vision was adopted by Council in December 2016 as the Economic Development Strategy for the county. This identifies new housing in ‘Aim 3 - A great place to live’. The council has undertaken an initial assessment of redevelopment options presented by the former education campus and considers that the site offers a sustainable location for a diverse range of new well located housing.

The council has entered into an overarching agreement with Keepmoat Homes, a developer, for a programme of development and regeneration over the next 10 years and potentially beyond. In accordance with that agreement, the developer partner will be commissioned to develop a project through the mechanism of a “New Project Request” and will progress the project in “Stages”.

The New Project Request specifies the council’s initial requirements and its criteria for the development, which can be refined as the project moves forward.

The developer partner has estimated the cost of the Stage 1 appraisal services which include the development of the outline business case and a proposed programme for delivery. These costs are required to be underwritten by the council as specified in the overarching agreement.