Decision details

The decision to re-develop the site comprising No.1 and 3 Pembroke Way Teversham was agreed in Feb 2016.

The first scheme proposal was for 3x3 bed houses and 2x2 bed flats. The area of land that the flats were sited on was owned by Teversham Parish Council (TPC).

This proposal gained agreement to proceed via a Decision Notice dated 9^th February 2016.

TPC agreed to transfer their land to South Cambs Housing and both parties agreed upon appropriate wording within the land transfer that should a future resident exercise the RTB Teversham PC would see a small financial gain. The planning application was submitted but it was later found that the PC land sat within the Green belt. Due to part of new proposals being in the green belt this would have required the Housing department to carry out sequential testing to see if there was an alternative exception site within the village for development. At this point rather than receive a refusal on the planning application it was agreed with the planning officer the planning application be withdrawn.

After further consultation with Housing Management colleagues on the mix and size of properties, Saunders Boston Architects were instructed to provide a revised re-development proposal that did not have any properties sited within the green belt land. The new proposals are for 4x1 bed flats and 2x2 bed houses. All to be affordable rent.

A revised viability appraisal has been carried out and approved by Julia Hovells (attached) confirming that the scheme is viable and pays back within 34yrs which is acceptable in terms of the Council Business Plan. The length of the pay back is increased as the purchase cost for no. 3 Pembroke Way, Teversham forms part of the viability.

The local member Cllr Hunt has been kept abreast of the redevelopment proposals and is very keen and supportive of the redevelopment project. Strategic Housing fully supports this scheme as it will provide much needed mixed affordable housing in Teversham. There are currently 19 registered housing applicants wanting to live in Teversham.

Saunders Boston has submitted and received the pre-application advice from the planning officer and is now preparing for the new planning application to be submitted by the end of June 2018.

To approve the revised scheme for demolition of 1 to 3 Pembroke Way, Teversham with the replacement of 6 new modern energy efficient council homes.

Affordability is a huge issue for the District in terms of housing. The provision of affordable homes will significantly reduce due to recent policy changes for housing providers and the lack of HCA funding available. Changes to housing benefit and welfare reform will also mean that the demand for affordable homes will only increase in this area. These 6 homes will also add additional affordable homes to the Councils housing stock. The Affordable rents will be set at Local Housing Allowance cap.

Option 1: The Council could decide to sell these two houses and the land it sits on to a private housing builder or another affordable housing provider.

Reason for Rejection: The Council has given an undertaking to provide as many new types of council homes as possible set at affordable rent levels to help meet its affordable housing demands. Given recent budgetary announcements it is unlikely that the Council would find another affordable housing provider willing to look at such a small development of just 5 homes. All these new homes will be set at Affordable Rents levels.