URL: https://rbwm.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=603

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: This report describes a proposed social housing project which is part of the redevelopment of the former Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot. The new hospital was opened in 2022 in addition to 250 dwellings which are currently under construction by Taylor Wimpey. No on-site affordable housing was deemed viable and instead a commuted sum payment was made. Man Group has approached RBWM offering 59 of the flats as affordable housing which otherwise would be delivered as open market housing. Man Group has been liaising with the RBWM Housing Service to clarify details of the 59 flats, and to ensure that they are affordable and meet the housing needs of households on the RBWM housing register. The proposal is for RBWM to contribute capital funding to the scheme to enable the tenure for all 59 flats to be social rent. The proposed capital funding will be sourced from Section 106 affordable housing receipts which RBWM received from the developers of previous housing schemes where affordable housing was not provided on-site. Recycling the receipts into this scheme is advantageous in that it is possible to provide 59 flats as affordable housing on a site in Ascot which otherwise would have no affordable housing, and is therefore of significant benefit to RBWM.

Content: AGREED: That Cabinet noted the report and: i)                 Recommended that Council approved a capital budget of £3,400,000, funded from Section 106 affordable housing funds for 59 flats at Heatherwood Royal, Ascot to enable the delivery of the flats as affordable housing with a tenure of social rent, payable from the Capital Programme 2026/27. And subject to receipt of £8.56m Homes England grant to Man Group. ii)               Delegated authority to the Assistant Director Housing and Public Protection in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing Services, Housing Delivery and Health, for the operational delivery of the homes and nomination of suitable households to the completed properties.

Date of Decision: May 19, 2026