Housing development rejected over 'manipulation'

The development on Scalby Road in Scarborough was unanimously refused

Plans to build 23 homes on a plot of land in Scarborough have been rejected over concerns about the "manipulation" of affordable housing rules.

Andrew Winter's application for five dwellings on Scalby Road as well as a separate outline plan for up to 18 homes was blocked at a council meeting.

North Yorkshire Council planners said the site had been artificially subdivided, resulting in the number of dwellings proposed "being lower than the threshold for affordable housing".

A report to the planning committee said the applicant had indicated the "whole quota of affordable housing" would be provided on the site for 18 dwellings but "there was no guarantee any permission would be implemented".

The site formerly housed a single detached dwelling with a large garden area, but had since been cleared of all structures, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Speaking at the Scarborough and Whitby Area Planning Committee, councillor Derek Bastiman said: "We're not going to get the best deal out of it regarding affordable housing."

The committee report stated it was the opinion of the planning authority that the subdivision of the site was "manipulation to place the burden of affordable housing on a more speculative part of the development site, where approval and affordable housing viability is uncertain".

Planning officers added that during conversations with the agent for the application, it had been "indicated that the outline permission is speculative and will likely be sold to another developer as land with extant planning permission".

The development was unanimously refused by councillors.

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