Futures Forum: Proposals for sheltered housing for the elderly in Sidford > third planning application approved, despite development 'potentially' generating increase in traffic
Now the Inspector has made clear what contributions the developer must make:
Developers must pay full affordable housing contribution as demolition of former care home begins
An inspector rejected plans to reduce the off-site contribution
Daniel ClarkLocal Democracy Reporter
18:14, 8 APR 2019
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FORMER GREEN CLOSE CARE HOME
Demolition work has begun on converting a former care home into retirement apartments – but their bid to reduce the affordable housing contribution has been rejected.
Churchill Retirement Living’s plans to revamp the closed 23-bed former Green Close care home in Drakes Avenue in Sidford were finally given the go-ahead by East Devon District Council planners in December last year, after twice rejecting similar schemes.
The sheltered apartment plans would see the care home demolished and replaced with 40 apartments, with a guest suite, owners’ lounge, lift, office also be included, as would be 24 car parking spaces.
A financial contribution of £677,434 to the council towards the provision of affordable housing within the district is a condition of the application, which Churchill have agreed is acceptable.
The developers had appealed against a previous refusal by planners in May for a 39 one and two-bedroom apartments scheme as those plans only included an off-site contribution of £423,576, but no provision for on-site affordable housing. Councillors had voted by seven votes to five that this affordable housing offer was not policy compliant.
Planning inspector Rory Cridland has since upheld that decision, meaning that the council will receive the full affordable housing contribution of £677,434, which councillors at Tuesday’s development management committee meeting said was good news, when planning appeal statistics were discussed.
Mr Cridland’s report said: “The main issue is whether or not the proposed development would make adequate provision for affordable housing. The parties agree on the percentage of affordable housing required, that onsite provision is not appropriate and that a financial contribution towards off site provision is justified. They do not, however, agree on the amount or the means by which it should be calculated.”
The applicants had used a capitalisation rate at four per cent, considerably lower than the six per cent applied by the council.
He added: “The council’s six per cent figure is reasonably robust, and it is unlikely to be significantly out of kilter with prevailing market rates. In contrast, the evidence provided by the appellant to justify the four per cent rate is limited. Consequently, I favour the council’s evidence and conclude that the proposed contribution of £430,678 is insufficient to provide an off-site affordable housing contribution of equivalent value to on-site provision. As such, it would fail to make adequate provision for affordable housing and would, therefore, conflict with the requirements of the Local Plan.”
He dismissed the appeal, meaning the full £677,434 to the council towards the provision of affordable housing must be paid.
The Green Close care home was built in 1971 but closed in 2014 after Devon County Council cutbacks.
Developers must pay full affordable housing contribution as demolition of former care home begins - Devon Live
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Demolition work has begun on converting a former care home into retirement apartments – but their bid to reduce the affordable housing contribution has been rejected.
Churchill Retirement Living’s plans to revamp the closed 23-bed former Green Close care home in Drakes Avenue in Sidford were finally given the go-ahead by East Devon District Council planners in December last year, after twice rejecting similar schemes.
The sheltered apartment plans would see the care home demolished and replaced with 40 apartments, with a guest suite, owners’ lounge, lift, office also be included, as would be 24 car parking spaces.
A financial contribution of £677,434 to the council towards the provision of affordable housing within the district is a condition of the application, which Churchill have agreed is acceptable.
The developers had appealed against a previous refusal by planners in May for a 39 one and two-bedroom apartments scheme as those plans only included an off-site contribution of £423,576, but no provision for on-site affordable housing. Councillors had voted by seven votes to five that this affordable housing offer was not policy compliant.
Planning inspector Rory Cridland has since upheld that decision, meaning that the council will receive the full affordable housing contribution of £677,434, which councillors at Tuesday’s development management committee meeting said was good news, when planning appeal statistics were discussed.
Mr Cridland’s report said: “The main issue is whether or not the proposed development would make adequate provision for affordable housing. The parties agree on the percentage of affordable housing required, that onsite provision is not appropriate and that a financial contribution towards off site provision is justified. They do not, however, agree on the amount or the means by which it should be calculated.”
The applicants had used a capitalisation rate at four per cent, considerably lower than the six per cent applied by the council.
He added: “The council’s six per cent figure is reasonably robust, and it is unlikely to be significantly out of kilter with prevailing market rates. In contrast, the evidence provided by the appellant to justify the four per cent rate is limited. Consequently, I favour the council’s evidence and conclude that the proposed contribution of £430,678 is insufficient to provide an off-site affordable housing contribution of equivalent value to on-site provision. As such, it would fail to make adequate provision for affordable housing and would, therefore, conflict with the requirements of the Local Plan.”
He dismissed the appeal, meaning the full £677,434 to the council towards the provision of affordable housing must be paid.
The Green Close care home was built in 1971 but closed in 2014 after Devon County Council cutbacks.
Developers must pay full affordable housing contribution as demolition of former care home begins - Devon Live
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