Disposal of MPA freehold – Rochester Row police station

Report: 09
Date: 12 December 2002
By: Director of Property Services

Summary

The disposal of the surplus MPA property at Rochester Row has been the subject of numerous prior reports and lengthy negotiations. This report recommends revised terms for disposal following a re-tender involving the previous lead bidders.

A. Recommendation

Members are asked to approve:

That the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) dispose of the freehold interest in Rochester Row on terms set out in the linked exempt report (agenda item 15).

B. Supporting information

Background

1. The Rochester Row site in SW1 has been surplus to requirements for some considerable time.

2. To achieve best value a planning consent was sought for the site but at the time this was felt to only be practicable if combined with the redevelopment of an adjoining owners property. A planning consent for such a scheme was achieved on a “minded to grant” basis subject to completion of a Section 106 Agreement in relation to social housing and other physical aspects of the scheme.

3. Offers were invited for the site on a number of occasions either for the MPA interest in isolation or on a joint sale basis with the adjoining owner. The subsequent problems and issues have led to a number of changes in both the basis of the sale and the land included.

4. In light of the passage of time since potential sale figures were last reported, and the fact that a disposal of the MPA land in isolation was the only practicable way forward, the site was retendered to the top previous bidders. Offers were invited on the basis of an unconditional sale and/or on the basis of a sale conditional on planning consent being obtained.

5. Tenders were returned in September 2002. These have been evaluated and members are asked to consider the analysis of options and recommendation set out in the linked exempt report for the disposal of the freehold interest.

C. Equality and diversity implications

1. Any development scheme on this site will need to meet regulatory requirements in respect of accessibility and the social housing requirements of the local planning authority.

D. Financial implications

1. The proceeds are reflected in the Authority’s financial projections.

2. There have also been costs incurred in the progress of the scheme to planning consent that are shared with the adjoining owner. These are estimated to be in the sum stated in the linked exempt report and will need to be financed from the sale proceeds.

3. Revenue savings as a result of the sale have already been reflected in budgets.

E. Background papers

Previous reports to the MPA

• Estates Sub-Group 9 January 2001
• Finance Planning and Best Value 17 April 2001
• Finance Planning and Best Value 19 June 2001
• Finance Planning and Best Value 21 February 2002
• Estates Sub-Committee 4 April 2002 (Update of Estates Issues)
• Estates Sub-Committee 30 May 2002 (Update of Estates Issues)
• Finance Committee 27 September 2002 (Update of Estates Issues)
• Finance Committee 24 October 2002 (Update of Estates Issues)

F. Contact details

Report author: Alan Croney, Director of Property Services

For more information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

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