A development of 30 homes to be built in Sutton St James has been given the green light despite there being no affordable homes.
Citing viability studies, Scenic Homes says it will only make £1.45m profit from the build on brownfield land off Chapelgate, low enough a percentage under national planning laws for the application to not have to deliver local planning guidelines’ 25 per cent.
Sutton St James Parish Council withdrew its initial support as a result.
The developer will be asked to pay £32,000 towards education through down on the nearly £85,000 requested for University Academy Long Sutton while the NHS won’t receive any of the £19,800 it requested.
Speaking in support of the development at South Holland District Council’s Planning Committee meeting last night (Wednesday, February 9), Alan Finch said: “The financial position shows it would not be feasible to deliver this development in terms of policy section 106 negotiations.
“The council’s independent viability study has come to the same conclusion.
“I struggle to comprehend the parish council’s stance in this instance as the scheme was submitted six months ago and they initially supported the proposal.”
Coun Chris Brewis called for a change on national planning policy on viability studies and viability is saying in effect they paid too much for the land, but that’s a personal view.”
But Coun James Avery responded: “If the density had been closer to what was allowed in the local plan there would have been a greater opportunity for a contribution.
“It’s sad the affordables aren’t there but at least with the viability report it shows there is a perfectly reasonable argument.”
Several councillors praised the application.
“It’s quite a nice development unlike what we usually see that you look at and, tongue in cheek say, ‘and that’s alright’,” said Coun Henry Bingham. “It’s not offensive and it’s a nice design.
“Yes it’s disappointing about the Section 106 but the price of everything has gone up and there’s contamination on the site which is going to eat into the budget as well.”
