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Planning Committee - Thursday 15th February 2024 9.30 am
February 15, 2024 View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)Summary
The council meeting focused on the election of new committee chairs and a significant planning application from the Rather District Council's Housing Company. The application proposed changes to a previously approved housing development, notably removing the affordable housing component due to financial unviability.
Election of Chair and Vice Chair: Councillor Brian Drayson was elected as Chair and Councillor Jimmie Stanger as Vice Chair of the Planning Committee. This was a straightforward decision with unanimous votes and no opposing nominations, ensuring a smooth transition in committee leadership.
Planning Application (RR20231487 Oblique P): The application sought to modify an existing permission by removing affordable housing and making various design changes to a development project. The developer argued that financial constraints made the inclusion of affordable housing unviable, despite the project's initial commitment to a 40% affordable housing provision. An independent financial viability assessment supported this claim. The council approved the application with a modification to include a review mechanism in the Section 106 agreement, potentially allowing for affordable housing in the future if financial conditions improve. This decision sparked a debate about balancing financial viability with community housing needs.
Additional Observations: The meeting was notable for its detailed discussion on the implications of removing affordable housing from significant development projects. The developer's commitment to exploring alternative ways to include affordable housing in the future, despite current financial constraints, was a key point of interest. The discussion also highlighted the council's efforts to ensure developments are environmentally sustainable, with mentions of air source heat pumps and potential for solar panels.
Overall, the meeting underscored the challenges local governments face in balancing development viability with community needs, especially in terms of affordable housing.
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