Request to scrap affordable homes plan rejected

Plans for 36 homes to be built at the site were approved in 2019

Plans to remove the requirement for a developer to build affordable homes on a site have been turned down over fears it would "set a precedent".

Westmorland and Furness Council's planning panel voted against officers’ recommendations and refused to modify a legal agreement made with the applicant Harry Barker Properties Ltd for the site in Dalton, Cumbria.

The proposal to scrap the requirement to provide four affordable housing units opposite Greenhill Ponds, off Greystones Lane, would have increased profit margins.

It had been suggested the developer instead contributed £63,000 to the council for the provision of offsite affordable housing, according to council documents.

Council documents showed the forecasted profit for the 36-home development at 4.64% with the four affordable homes, which would rise to 8.45% if the obligation was removed.

The profit was still "less than half" of what would typically be expected in a viable development (15-20% profit).

The developer blamed increased construction costs and unexpected issues such as adverse ground conditions for the request.

'Stand by agreement'

Labour councillor for Dalton South, Tony Callister, called on the developer to stand by the contract "to the letter".

He said: “I think if we waiver away from that obligation by agreement, are we setting a precedent for any building development in this area?"

Labour councillor Frank Cassidy, who represents Walney Island, labelled the proposal "disappointing".

“I would also guess that if you took a poll of the main street in Dalton or in Barrow on a Saturday afternoon, they would all say that we need more affordable homes,” he added.

The development, which is "little over half complete", was given the go-ahead in October 2019.