URL: https://horsham.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=769

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Housing & Communities

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: Saxon Weald approached Horsham District Council in the summer of 2024 requesting funding of £72,740 to assist in retrofitting a 4-bed parlour property to enable letting as social rented housing to avoid disposal. The funding was approved in August 2024. Saxon Weald have now approached the Council again with information that the detailed survey revealed considerable structural works required within the property.   Saxon Weald is asking for an additional £73,473 to bring this project forward taking the total amount of section 106 spend up to £146,213.   The property has been void for over two years due to disrepair and maintenance issues. Saxon Weald will use the funding to carry out extensive upgrades to the property, including major structural repairs, installing new heating, full electrical rewiring and a replacement kitchen.   There are currently 23 households on the Council’s Housing Register with a 4-bed need wanting to live in Partridge Green / West Grinstead, out of 88 households in the whole district with a 4-bed need.  Of those 23 households, some have been waiting to be rehoused since 2018 (7 years). The Housing Team has only received 5x 4-bed properties for nomination since January 2025 and there are no 4-bed homes in the current affordable housing development programme.   If the Council were not to assist with funding the property will be sold on the private market and be lost as a social rented unit. With an already limited number of properties of this size available it is important that the Council works with its partners to retain such units within the affordable housing stock for the district.   It should be noted that 4 Jolesfield is a particularly large home, with three double bedrooms, a single bedroom and a downstairs parlour that could be used as a bedroom or adapted at a later date for disabled use. Properties of this size are very scarce within social housing stock.   The Council has agreed with Saxon Weald that Horsham District Council will receive full nomination rights for this property.  

Content: Saxon Weald approached Horsham District Council in the summer of 2024 requesting funding of £72,740 to assist in retrofitting a 4-bed parlour property to enable letting as social rented housing to avoid disposal. The funding was approved in August 2024. Saxon Weald have now approached the Council again with information that the detailed survey revealed considerable structural works required within the property.   Saxon Weald is asking for an additional £73,473 to bring this project forward taking the total amount of section 106 spend up to £146,213.   The property has been void for over two years due to disrepair and maintenance issues. Saxon Weald will use the funding to carry out extensive upgrades to the property, including major structural repairs, installing new heating, full electrical rewiring and a replacement kitchen.   There are currently 23 households on the Council’s Housing Register with a 4-bed need wanting to live in Partridge Green / West Grinstead, out of 88 households in the whole district with a 4-bed need.  Of those 23 households, some have been waiting to be rehoused since 2018 (7 years). The Housing Team has only received 5x 4-bed properties for nomination since January 2025 and there are no 4-bed homes in the current affordable housing development programme.   If the Council were not to assist with funding the property will be sold on the private market and be lost as a social rented unit. With an already limited number of properties of this size available it is important that the Council works with its partners to retain such units within the affordable housing stock for the district.   It should be noted that 4 Jolesfield is a particularly large home, with three double bedrooms, a single bedroom and a downstairs parlour that could be used as a bedroom or adapted at a later date for disabled use. Properties of this size are very scarce within social housing stock.   The Council has agreed with Saxon Weald that Horsham District Council will receive full nomination rights for this property.   To approve a further allocation of £73, 473 of additional Section 106 receipts to secure the retrofitting of 4 Jolesfield, Partridge Green, for the property to remain as affordable housing, taking the total amount of Section 106 spend up to £146,213 on this project. To prevent disposal of and retain a larger family home to be allocated and occupied by a family on the Council’s Housing Register. If the Council did not provide the funding the property will be disposed of on the private market and be lost as an affordable rented unit.   If the Council purchased the property on the open market the cost of purchase and additional works required would not be viable. None

Date of Decision: August 4, 2025