Colwyn Bay...Plans for 11 homes at former school courts but will they be for locals?

 

Cadnant Planning are involved so say no more! But all of these houses should be for local people and not people out of area, but will this happen? And below is why it keeps happening, WAG need to change the law.

While there isn't a universal, legally-enforced duty for property developers to prioritize building homes for local people, local planning policies often require developers to include a percentage of affordable housing within their developments. These policies, however, can be challenged by developers through financial viability assessments. 

Here's a more detailed explanation:

1. Planning Policies and Affordable Housing:

• Local Planning Authorities (LPAs):

  LPAs often set targets for the proportion of affordable housing within new developments
• Section 106 Agreements:

  Developers may enter into agreements with local councils (Section 106 agreements) to provide a certain number of affordable housing units or other community benefits in exchange for planning permission. :

• Financial Viability Assessments (FVAs):

  Developers can use FVAs to argue that meeting affordable housing targets would make the development financially unviable.
• Benchmark Land Value:

  FVAs compare the developer's estimated revenue against the cost of the development, including the cost of land.
• Negotiating Affordable Housing:

  If the FVA shows that meeting the target would significantly reduce the developer's profit, they may try to negotiate a lower percentage of affordable housing or other contributions.. 

• Community Right to Build:

  Some planning policies, like the Community Right to Build in the UK, allow communities to propose their own development plans, which may prioritize local needs.
• Developer-led Projects:

  Private developers can partner with community housing organizations to deliver affordable housing, either by gifting or selling units at a discount. 

In essence, while developers are not automatically obligated to build solely for local people, local planning policies and community initiatives can influence the type and affordability of housing in new developments. 

And the rest of the story PLANS for 11 homes to be built at tennis courts in Colwyn Bay have been submitted, after proposals for the vacant site were withdrawn last year.

Northfield Property Development Ltd have applied to Conwy County Council’s planning department, seeking permission to build 11 homes at the former Rydal Penrhos sports court on Oak Drive, Colwyn Bay.

The Colwyn Bay-based company had previously planned to build 14 homes at the site, but two planning applications were withdrawn last year.

The land was previously used as tennis courts by Rydal Penrhos but was sold by the school.

Renewed plans would also see work undertaken to create new vehicular access, an access road, and landscaping, and include other associated works. 

A planning support statement by Cadnant Planning said the courts had already been deemed "surplus to requirements" and had never been a community facility, simply private courts for use by students.

The 11 homes would be made up of nine detached, four-bedroom properties, and two "affordable" semi-detached, three-bedroom ones.

The initial plans were met with scepticism by councillors and residents, who raised issues concerning flooding and highway issues.

A planning statement by Cadnant Planning said: "The application site lies within the Pwilycrochan Conservation Area and the proposal is not considered to have an unacceptable detrimental impact on the Conservation Area and offers the opportunity to improve elements such as the street scene along Oak Drive and Walshaw Avenue.

"There is a balance to be achieved between the development of this site, which comprises previously developed land in the main, and protecting the historic environment.

"It is considered that the proposal would provide an appropriate new use for the site.

"A detailed drainage strategy has been developed which incorporates sustainable drainage and water conservation methods. It also includes an connection point for the discharge of foul sewage and surface water by way of a new sewage line which runs north from the application site across neighbouring land, connecting to the mains sewer beneath Landowne which has been identified and accepted by DCWW as a suitable connection point.

"The internal access road has been designed to adoptable standards with the length of the hammer head increased to enable waste vehicles to turn. Waste collection is therefore proposed from each property individually.

"By virtue of the siting and design of the scheme, the proposal would not result in any adverse impacts upon the character of the surrounding landscape, residential amenity or highway safety."

The plans now await a decision by Conwy County Borough Council's planning committee.

From...https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3448806374832134439/8601705016938955922