Developer succeeds in getting number of affordable homes at major development in Brook Lane, Warsash, reduced by more than 50
The development should have 72 affordable homes - but the developer said the scheme was not viable and has argued the total down to 20
More than 50 affordable homes have been slashed from a long-running housing scheme.
Fareham Borough Council’s planning committee gave the green light to a development of up to 180 homes on land east of Brook Lane in Warsash despite affordable housing provision being cut from 72 homes to 20.
The scheme, which has been tied up in the planning process since 2017, was unanimously approved after councillors were told the development was no longer financially viable if it was required to meet the council’s full affordable housing target.
Under planning policy, developments of this size are expected to deliver 40 per cent affordable housing, equivalent to 72 homes.
However, the latest proposals provide 11 per cent affordable housing, amounting to around 20 homes.
Addressing the committee, planning consultant David Jobbins, speaking on behalf of the applicant, Brook Lane Homes Limited, said: “It is just not possible to provide 40 per cent affordable housing.
“The council’s independent consultants have confirmed the provision of 11 per cent affordable housing is acceptable, but this would be subject to further scrutiny once the development is under way. There is a safety net.”
He added: “Whilst we do understand members’ concerns, both the Local Plan and government guidance support the approach your officers have taken. They have been very rigorous and robust.
“We believe they have secured the best result for this site, given the situation.”
During the meeting, councillors were told the developer had originally argued that no affordable housing could be delivered on the development at all.
It was only after scrutiny by the council’s independent consultant that the number increased to 11 per cent.
Cllr Gemma Furnivall questioned whether such a low initial offer was common.
The Labour councillor for Fort Fareham said: “Is that a usual thing? That seems stark for them to come back to a council and say they can’t do any. I know 11 per cent is a huge increase from nothing.”
Peter Kneen, a chartered town planner at the council, replied: “Eleven per cent is still not great, but it is better than the nothing that was originally proposed.
“It is probably not uncommon for viability assessments to come in with a worst-case scenario, and that is why we review them.”
The council’s consultants concluded the scheme could provide 20 affordable homes, which would include 10 affordable rent properties and 10 shared ownership homes.
Infrastructure and site preparation costs across the site, which were previously estimated at around £1.8m, are now put at more than £10m.