Decision details

To seek approval for an application for recoverable grant funding from the Brownfield, Infrastructure and Land Fund (BIL) to allow early provision of infrastructure on the West Harrogate project. The funding will be put towards delivery transport and education schemes identified through the West Harrogate planning applications.

Approval from the Corporate Director Resources (sub-delegated to the Assistant Director Resources) in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance and Resources and the Executive Member for Open to Business to authorise the submission of an application for BIL (Brownfield, Infrastructure and Land) grant funding in the amount of £6,780,994.

To allow officers to continue collaborative dialogue with the Homes England funding team to secure early infrastructure delivery on the West Harrogate project.

Not securing the BIL fund recoverable grant will impact on the pace of delivery for the on-site primary schools and off-site transport mitigation. Provision of the infrastructure will have to wait for s106 payments to accumulate through housing sales and completions. An alternative would be to seek the applicants to fund larger upfront payments, this is likely to stall delivery of the housing sites as developers struggle to source financing terms. It could lead to viability difficulties for developers which in turn risks challenges to s106 provisions.

A further alternative would be for the education and transport teams to draw from Council reserves to cover the early infrastructure provision. This will be paid back through collection of s106 commuted sums over time but is considered undesirable due to other considerable pressures on Council budget.