Fareham Borough councillor Michael Ford criticises 'smoke and mirrors’ plan to reduce number of affordable homes on new Warsash estate
The scheme has been in the offing for almost a decade
More than 50 affordable homes could vanish in a move branded “smoke and mirrors” by a councillor.
Fareham Borough Council’s planning committee is being asked to approve a proposal for up to 180 homes on land east of Brook Lane in Warsash, despite affordable housing provision being reduced from 72 homes to 20.
The scheme, originally submitted by Foreman Homes, has been tied up in the planning system since 2017 and was first backed by councillors in 2018, but years of negotiations have delayed it reaching the construction stage.
The latest outline application from Brook Lane Homes Limited would allow up to 180 homes to be built. The development would also include open space, landscaping, a play area and access from Brook Lane.
Under the council’s planning policies, developments of this size are expected to provide 40 per cent affordable housing. On a scheme of 180 homes, that would equate to 72 affordable properties. However, the submitted documents argue the scheme is no longer financially viable if that requirement is maintained.
But Cllr Michael Ford, Conservative for Hook-with-Warsash, said the loss of affordable housing was “regrettable” and accused developers of using “smoke and mirrors” to avoid meeting the council’s 40 per cent affordable housing target.
He said: “It is difficult to contest the application itself as Foreman Homes had outline consent for a similar number of dwellings, but this lapsed.
“The reduction in affordable homes is regrettable and seems to be following an unfortunate trend of developers saying one thing, then citing lack of viability to allow them to wriggle out of the council’s requirement.”
Developers said rising costs, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic, mean the site cannot support that level of affordable housing.
Independent consultants appointed by the council reviewed the figures and agreed the development could not deliver the full 40 per cent requirement while remaining viable.
They concluded the scheme could provide 20 affordable homes, comprising 10 affordable rent properties and 10 shared ownership homes. According to the report, increasing construction and infrastructure costs have had a major impact on the project.
Infrastructure and site preparation costs that were previously estimated at around £1.8m are now put at more than £10m. Planning officers said that although the proposal falls short of the affordable housing policy, the reduced number of homes is necessary for the scheme to go ahead.
A decision will be made by councillors on Thursday.