Knowle relocation project: new FOI request for PegasusLife viability report

There have been a few new Freedom of Information requests related to the Knowle made of late:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: latest FOI request on costs
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: new FOI request on S106 cash

In the light of lack of clarity over what the 'overage' might be regarding developers' agreements with the District Council...
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: PegasusLife pleading poverty: "specialists in development viability have confirmed that the development cannot afford to meet the council’s policy requirements for affordable housing"

... a further FOI request has just been made:


PegasusLife viability report

17 December 2017

Dear Ms Symington,

I would like to make a formal request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. I am also making this request under the Environmental Impact Regulations 2004 which require disclosure on the part of Local Authorities.

By way of introduction, a Council spokesperson spoke to the Sidmouth Herald, which published the following statement on 5th December 2017:

“PegasusLife has submitted viability evidence to demonstrate that the scheme would not be viable if it were to provide affordable housing, which the council has accepted.

“The council has had this information independently assessed by specialists in development viability who have confirmed that the development cannot afford to meet the council’s policy requirements for affordable housing.

“Accordingly, the council has required an overage clause to be included within the section 106 agreement, which will seek to obtain a contribution towards affordable housing in the event that the scheme is more profitable than currently envisaged. This approach has been used before and supported by planning inspectors at appeal. If the development is found to be C2 by the inspector then there would be no affordable housing required to be provided.

“However, the Knowle inquiry is still ongoing and is timetabled to conclude today (Tuesday). We anticipate receiving a final decision from the inspector in January.”

http://www.sidmouthherald.co.uk/news/kno...

With reference to the above, I would like you to provide me with the following:

> The full, unredacted “viability evidence to demonstrate that the scheme would not be viable if it were to provide affordable housing.”

> The full thread of paperwork which demonstrates that the “council has accepted” the viability evidence.

> The full, unredacted assessment of this information from the “specialists in development viability who have confirmed that the development cannot afford to meet the council’s policy requirements for affordable housing.”

The 106 agreement has been made available: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/k...

Nevertheless, I would like you to provide me with:

> The full thread of paperwork which demonstrates the precise mechanisms by which the section 106 agreement “will seek to obtain a contribution towards affordable housing in the event that the scheme is more profitable than currently envisaged.”

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Jeremy Woodward

PegasusLife viability report - a Freedom of Information request to East Devon District Council - WhatDoTheyKnow
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