Issue - meetings

Report of the Planning Manager attached.

RESOLVED (Unanimously) that:

1.    the application for grant funding of affordable housing commuted sum monies to Chorley Community Housing be approved; and

2.    capital expenditure of £499,664.40, funded from affordable housing s106 monies be approved.

The Planning Manager addressed the Cabinet on an application received for monies from the Council’s held Commuted Sums monies towards a development that would provide 34 units for affordable rent.  The Commuted Sums covered the whole borough and applications (locations determined by the applicant) for those monies were determined in line with the Council’s Commuted Sums Policy. The Council was conscious that these monies needed to be spent within a reasonable period of time. The scheme was for housing at affordable rent. It was considered that future tenants of the units could not be prevented from subsequently exercising their Right to Buy if they satisfied the relevant statutory criteria.

Decision made (Unanimously) that:

1.    the application for grant funding of affordable housing commuted sum monies to Chorley Community Housing be approved; and

2.    capital expenditure of £499,664.40, funded from affordable housing s106 monies be approved.

Reasons for the Decision:

The report presented details of the Council’s first policy compliant application for commuted sum monies made by Chorley Community Housing (part of Adactus Housing Group) for the delivery of affordable housing within the borough.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

Recommend for full approval

Approval of the full £510,000 would enable the scheme to go ahead but would contribute towards the high land value as reported by Keppie Massie. It was not felt, however, that the Affordable Housing Commuted Sum funding should contribute to higher land values

Refuse the application

Refusal of the application would mean refusal of a policy compliant scheme and a loss of 34 affordable units to meet the housing needs of the borough. It would also mean two sites would not be able to come forward which would otherwise provide an important contribution to housing delivery in South Ribble. Two other schemes submitted had not reached this stage as they were not compliant with the policy - this one met it and had been thoroughly tested. There were also time limits on the spend for commuted sums monies so it was essential that the Council started to use this funding effectively otherwise it could be lost.