Affordable housing requirement across Cheshire West and Chester threatens developers’ plans

Dec 10 2009 by Ben Coulbeck, Chester Chronicle

THE need for affordable housing is threatening to scupper developers’ plans to build residential homes across the county.

In Tarvin, planning bids for housing developments are receiving objections and criticism if they do not include provision for affordable housing.

Most recently, a proposed development for three town houses, to be built on land adjacent to The Ridgeway, submitted last month, has already drawn such comments.

Roger Hones, of nearby Hockenhull Lane, said: “If this permission is granted it will remove yet another opportunity to build affordable homes near the village centre where they would be very well suited.”

The plans, drawn up by Marchington Developments, also attracted criticism from rural housing enabler Phil Addison, who said: “This application is for three houses so there is a strong case that one of them should be classed and delivered as affordable.

“The applicant is encouraged to consider the range of preferences for affordable housing delivery in order to address (the council’s) policy requirements.”

According to a strategic housing market assessment, there is a shortfall of 1,314 affordable houses across Cheshire West and Chester.

The Cheshire Housing Alliance’s main priority, as outlined in their sub-regional housing strategy report, is “to increase the supply of affordable housing to support economic growth and development.