Agenda item

Erection of 21 dwellings (almshhouses) the relocation of existing allotments and public open space provision together with associated landscaping and infrastructure

Councillor Heather Williams proposed that rental of each of the Alms-houses should not exceed 50% of market rent unless South Cambridgeshire District Council agreed otherwise. This was seconded by Councillor Judith Rippeth and, by affirmation, agreed by the Committee.

By affirmation, the Committee gave officers delegated authority to approve the application subject to

1.     The prior completion of a Legal Agreement under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to ensure

(A)  That the properties remain affordable in perpetuity and that the rents payable by occupiers of the Alms-houses shall not exceed 50% of market rent unless the charity landlord can satisfy South Cambridgeshire District Council that rents should be raised beyond that figure; and

(B)  The future maintenance and management of various on-site areas of green space and landscaping around the residential development, including the central green space and Local Area of Play.

2.     The conditions and informatives set out in the report from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development.

Although present, Councillor Brian Milnes had missed part of the debate because of technical issues. Therefore he did not vote in relation to either the amendment or the substantive motion.

The case officer summarised the Legal Agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and referred Members to the Feasibility Assessment submitted with the application. The application site was one of ten sites that had been considered. Each of those ten sites was in the Green Belt. He informed Members that the Section 106 Agreement would secure the maintenance and management of the green open spaces, including the local area of play, and landscaping within the site. Referring to paragraph 66 of the report from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development, the case officer clarified that, while the Section 106 Agreement would require the affordable housing to remain as such in perpetuity, it would not secure them as Alms Houses. This could impact on rent levels.

Barbara Kettel (Stapleford Parish Council) addressed  the meeting.

The Committee debate revolved around the following points

·       While the application site lay within the Green Belt, intrusion into the countryside was not considered unreasonable in this case

·       The harm caused by building in the Green Belt was outweighed by the benefit of additional affordable housing becoming available

·       Concern at the lack of education provision in the Section 106 Legal Agreement

In response to Members’ concern about development within the Green Belt, the Delivery Manager (Strategic Sites) said that officers had sought to strike a planning balance, He assured Members that approval of this application would not set a precedent.

There followed a brief discussion as to whether the landlord charity should be able to increase rents beyond 50% and up to 80% of market rates. The Senior Planning Lawyer advised the Committee against guaranteeing 50% for a specific period and, instead, suggested a form of wording that would allow a more flexible approach. Such approach in effect would require the rental of each of the Alms-houses to not exceed 50% of market rent unless South Cambridgeshire District Council agreed otherwise.

Councillor Heather Williams proposed that rental of each of the Alms-houses should not exceed 50% of market rent unless South Cambridgeshire District Council agreed otherwise. This was seconded by Councillor Judith Rippeth and, by affirmation, agreed by the Committee.

By affirmation, the Committee gave officers delegated authority to approve the application subject to

1.     The prior completion of a Legal Agreement under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to ensure

(A)  That the properties remain affordable in perpetuity and that the rents payable by occupiers of the Alms-houses shall not exceed 50% of market rent unless the charity landlord can satisfy South Cambridgeshire District Council that rents should be raised beyond that figure; and

(B)  The future maintenance and management of various on-site areas of green space and landscaping around the residential development, including the central green space and Local Area of Play.

2.     The conditions and informatives set out in the report from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development.

Although present, Councillor Brian Milnes had missed part of the debate because of technical issues. Therefore, he did not vote in relation to either the amendment or the substantive motion, and was not part of either affirmation.