URL: https://ealing.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=974

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: Recommendation to dispose of land to the East of the Gurnell Leisure Centre site to the successful bidder, following a two-stage tender process, in order to enable the redevelopment of Gurnell Leisure Centre

Content: RESOLVED:   That Cabinet:   1.           Agreed that Appendices 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 are not for publication on the basis that they contain information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) as set out in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).   2.           Agreed to enter into a development agreement (DA) and development lease (based on the drafts at Appendix 2 and 3) with Countryside Properties (UK) Limited (the development lease to be executed only once the conditions precedent outlined in the DA have been met).   3.           Agreed to transfer the freehold in accordance with the terms of the DA.   4.           Delegated authority to the Strategic Director for Economy and Sustainability to appropriate the site for planning purposes at the relevant time.   5.           Delegated authority to the Strategic Director Economy and Sustainability to agree the final versions of the DA and development lease, enter into all ancillary legal documents required and take all necessary steps to facilitate the project or protect the council’s interests.     REASONS FOR DECISION AND OPTIONS CONSIDERED:     1.           The residential development is, defined in planning terms as, enabling development for new leisure centre as it will provide a capital receipt to support the funding for the new leisure centre. The funding for the new leisure centre will be the subject of a future cabinet report.   2.           In addition, the residential development will provide much needed housing in the borough and will assist towards meeting the borough’s housing target as set by the Greater London Authority (GLA).   3.           Following the conclusion of the full tender process, the council’s procurement specialist (Savills) has prepared the tender report at Appendix 1. Consequently, the recommendations in this report have been prepared in line with the tender report’s outcome.   4.           The DA will give the council control over the delivery on the site, without the risks associated with direct delivery, and whilst still generating a capital receipt for use as capital subsidy for the new leisure centre.       Not to award the contract for disposal of the site   5.           This would create a financial risk, as the council would be unable to recoup its direct costs incurred during the tender and pre-tender processes (including legal, procurement, design and planning fees).   6.           This would also create a reputational risk for the council as such a decision would contradict previous decisions made by Cabinet.   To award the contract for disposal of the site   7.           This contract will generate a capital receipt to be used to enable the development of the new Gurnell leisure centre.  

Date of Decision: February 11, 2026