Newark and Sherwood District Council to consider compulsory purchase order for four homes to progress Yorke Drive estate regeneration scheme

Four homes could be bought under a compulsory purchase order to enable the progression of a major estate regeneration scheme.

On Tuesday, October 14, Newark and Sherwood District Council’s cabinet will vote on using compulsory purchase powers for four properties on the Yorke Drive estate, Newark.

As part of the Yorke Drive Regeneration Project, the council seeks to address design and layout issues with the existing estate and provide both better living environments and safety and security for residents.

Council documents state that the four homes, which have not been able to be secured through voluntary acquisition as nine other privately owned properties and nine housing association properties have been, “could not be retained successfully within the proposed redevelopment scheme”.

It added: “The retention of the individual properties would not be appropriate given their location and relationship to adjoining properties, the comprehensive nature of the redevelopment, and the objective to achieve the regeneration benefits of the wider proposals.”

The project will see the demolition of 130 properties — both flats and houses — a sports pavilion, and two rows of garages, to be replaced with 207 new mixed tenure homes, and improved community sports and leisure facilities, infrastructure, and green spaces.

As part of the preparation for the project, the 97 households living in the affected regeneration zone were contacted by the council about their current housing needs, to ensure they can be matched to a property that meets these.

Documents state the authority will also arrange for the removal of resident’s belongings to their new home — at an expense of around £80,000 — and has appointed a dedicated tenancy officer to the decant programme three days a week, to offer support and minimise disturbance for affected residents.

Agreement in principle for use of compulsory purchase powers for the scheme was first given in September 2019, and despite many redesigns is still considered necessary to its delivery.

If approved by cabinet, the compulsory purchase order must be submitted to the Secretary of State for approval, a process which council documents explained could take 12 to 18 months.

In the meantime, the council’s Regeneration Team will continue to seek voluntary acquisition of the properties, but the order’s progression would allow it to be used in the case that properties cannot be acquired by negotiation in a reasonable timeframe.

Documents stated: “Before a compulsory purchase order can be implemented the council will have to justify the use of such powers to the Secretary of State via a Statement of Reasons.”

If the residents are not moved it could result in “financial penalties and project delays” for the council, the report added.