Dear Sir/Madam Please supply me with the following *Sale price and date of the land sold to Pocket Life near Woodside Park station. I refer to your press release (https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2018/october/tfl-announce-partnership-with-pocket-living-to-build-affordable-homes-for-first-time-buyers) *All documents relating to the decision on the sale, in particular which options where considered and what the returns to the public of these were determined to be. I have contacted Pocket Living to request the land sale price but they refused. Thanks

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Our ref: FOI-2263-1819/GH

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 27 November 2018 asking for information about the land sold to Pocket Living near Woodside Park station.

Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold some of the information you require.

Contractually we have only exchanged contracts on the land, completion of the sale is dependent on a number of conditions being met. This includes planning permission being granted by the Local Planning Authority. The sale price won’t be finalised until we know how many homes are granted planning permission and it is anticipated that this will not be until mid-2019 at the earliest. We therefore do not hold the final sale price at this time.

Transport for London is obligated to secure best value for any land which is disposed of. The sites have been valued by independent valuation experts and the disposal will meet best value requirements.

We are not obliged to provide you with the documents relating to the decision on this sale and the options considered, as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 43(2). In this instance the section 43(2) exemption has been applied as disclosure would be likely to prejudice our commercial interests, as well as those of Pocket. This was a commercially negotiated deal rather than something we charge a standard price for. The documents relating to the deal include the test we use to demonstrate that the deal with Pocket offers TfL best value. Releasing such information would hinder our ability to negotiate deals and obtain the best price in the future with Pocket or other developers.

The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. We recognise the need for openness and transparency by public authorities, particularly where the sale of assets is concerned, but in this instance the public interest in ensuring that we are able to obtain the best value outweighs the general public interest in increasing transparency of our processes.

If this is not the information you are looking for please do not hesitate to contact me.

If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely

Graham Hurt

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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