Wokingham becoming 'a town only for the rich'
- Published
The scheme includes 60 flats and a new public square
Wokingham is becoming "a town for only the rich" after a new development was approved with no affordable housing, a councillor has warned.
Plans to build a new 60-flat development on Market Place in the town centre were approved by the council's planning committee on Wednesday.
Members criticised the project for designating no flats as affordable.
Councillor Rachelle Shepherd-DuBey said such moves make "a town for only the rich, not average earners or the poor".
She added: "As someone who grew up in affordable housing, I really think it's a horrible idea that we don't have any affordable housing in this development."
Property developer Devonshire Metro wants to demolish 19-21 Market Place and build 60 flats, three new shopping units and a public square.
The current building is occupied by branches of the Robert Dyas homeware shop and Lloyds bank.
'Viability assessment'
Architecture Initiative, which designed the development, said it would revive an "under-used" patch of Wokingham town centre.
A viability assessment submitted by developers said they could not profit from the project if any of the flats were reserved for affordable housing.
Planning law says developments of more than 15 homes in a major development location such as Wokingham town centre should include at least 30% affordable housing.
This could mean those homes would be rented as social housing, rented or sold at 80% of market rates, or sold through schemes such as shared ownership.
However, developers do not have to do this if they can provide a viability assessment showing construction costs mean they would not make a profit without charging full market rates.
The scheme will replace existing buildings in Market Place
This then has to be approved by an independent financial consultant.
Council planning officers recommended committee members approve the development, arguing that the "benefits... outweigh the inability to deliver affordable housing".
A legal agreement says there should also be a viability review when the project is completed to confirm the situation has not changed.
Councillors on the committee voted to approve the application with six in favour and three against.
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