Post by Sherford on Jun 9, 2009 16:08:38 GMT
www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/Sherford-afforable-housing/article-1057119-detail/article.html
Sherford will have less afforable housing
THE percentage of affordable housing in a planned new town of 5,500 homes on the edge of Plymouth could be cut by more than half because of the recession.
Amended plans for the Sherford development, between Plymstock and Ivybridge, show the proportion of affordable housing could fall from up to 45 per cent of the development to as low as 20 per cent.
New outline plans for the site have been lodged with both Plymouth City Council and South Hams District Council.
Public consultation by both authorities on the new plans will end on June 25.
The plans, an addendum to the originals, will be debated by Plymouth planners next month, and in the South Hams in July or later, but the issue of affordable housing is likely to prove of great public concern.
In the original plans, submitted in April 2008, between 36.5 and 45 per cent of the housing stock was to have been affordable: but due to "current market conditions", that changes in the revised plans to between 20 per cent and 45 per cent.
A statement in the new plans said: "It could be reasonably predicted that the level of provision of affordable housing at Sherford at the completion of 5,500 dwellings might be between 20 per cent and 45 per cent of overall housing numbers.
"The percentage will depend on various factors including viability, the level of grant funding available through the term of the development and the tenure mix provided, which will be reviewed from time to time to help match provision to need."
How many of the homes will be affordable has yet to be decided, but developer Red Tree says any fall in numbers would be because of the recession.
In a letter on Plymouth City Council's website, Red Tree project manager Rebecca Sturge, said: "The challenges of the current market have, like developments throughout the country, required all those involved in Sherford to review the demands being made through the planning agreement and to look at innovative ways to ensure that the development, including the much-needed housing it provides, is deliverable on the site."
James Koe, a partner at Red Tree, said: "The market downturn has presented Sherford with a considerable challenge."
Plymouth City Council and South Hams District Council, as well as Red Tree, had focused "considerable resource and time on meeting this challenge".
The developers had also taken a fresh look at the sequencing of the early stages of development which had led to a 'revised phasing' focused on bringing the south- west neighbourhood – the part of the development on the edge of Elburton – forward to help ensure and accelerate delivery of the project.
"This also addresses earlier the need to clearly define the distinct and separate nature of Sherford to Elburton and brings forward the delivery of much of the managed open space and sports provision in this corridor, including the swimming pool," said Mr Koe.
"Significantly, it also makes the development much more attractive for public funding within current funding cycles."
Red Tree also said the size of the community park in the development had "been returned to the originally envisaged scale of 200 hectares".
The Sherford development is expected to be given planning permission this year so construction can begin next year.
The 'main street' and south-west neighbourhood are expected to be built between next year and 2012, with the first residents moving on to the site in 2011.
The entire development is not expected to be completed until 2022.
Mr Koe said certain aspects of the scheme which had been threatened by the worsening economic climate would go ahead nonetheless.
"The things that may have been compromised because of economic conditions beyond our control have had champions in Red Tree as well as the local planning authorities' delivery teams and their corner has been fought hard," he said.
"These proposals ensure that the site is deliverable in this market while sustaining the original vision for Sherford."
A special planning meeting to discuss the new Sherford plans is scheduled at the council on July 16.
Any comments on the plans to the city council should refer only to the addendum, and not the original application.
Sherford will have less afforable housing
THE percentage of affordable housing in a planned new town of 5,500 homes on the edge of Plymouth could be cut by more than half because of the recession.
Amended plans for the Sherford development, between Plymstock and Ivybridge, show the proportion of affordable housing could fall from up to 45 per cent of the development to as low as 20 per cent.
New outline plans for the site have been lodged with both Plymouth City Council and South Hams District Council.
Public consultation by both authorities on the new plans will end on June 25.
The plans, an addendum to the originals, will be debated by Plymouth planners next month, and in the South Hams in July or later, but the issue of affordable housing is likely to prove of great public concern.
In the original plans, submitted in April 2008, between 36.5 and 45 per cent of the housing stock was to have been affordable: but due to "current market conditions", that changes in the revised plans to between 20 per cent and 45 per cent.
A statement in the new plans said: "It could be reasonably predicted that the level of provision of affordable housing at Sherford at the completion of 5,500 dwellings might be between 20 per cent and 45 per cent of overall housing numbers.
"The percentage will depend on various factors including viability, the level of grant funding available through the term of the development and the tenure mix provided, which will be reviewed from time to time to help match provision to need."
How many of the homes will be affordable has yet to be decided, but developer Red Tree says any fall in numbers would be because of the recession.
In a letter on Plymouth City Council's website, Red Tree project manager Rebecca Sturge, said: "The challenges of the current market have, like developments throughout the country, required all those involved in Sherford to review the demands being made through the planning agreement and to look at innovative ways to ensure that the development, including the much-needed housing it provides, is deliverable on the site."
James Koe, a partner at Red Tree, said: "The market downturn has presented Sherford with a considerable challenge."
Plymouth City Council and South Hams District Council, as well as Red Tree, had focused "considerable resource and time on meeting this challenge".
The developers had also taken a fresh look at the sequencing of the early stages of development which had led to a 'revised phasing' focused on bringing the south- west neighbourhood – the part of the development on the edge of Elburton – forward to help ensure and accelerate delivery of the project.
"This also addresses earlier the need to clearly define the distinct and separate nature of Sherford to Elburton and brings forward the delivery of much of the managed open space and sports provision in this corridor, including the swimming pool," said Mr Koe.
"Significantly, it also makes the development much more attractive for public funding within current funding cycles."
Red Tree also said the size of the community park in the development had "been returned to the originally envisaged scale of 200 hectares".
The Sherford development is expected to be given planning permission this year so construction can begin next year.
The 'main street' and south-west neighbourhood are expected to be built between next year and 2012, with the first residents moving on to the site in 2011.
The entire development is not expected to be completed until 2022.
Mr Koe said certain aspects of the scheme which had been threatened by the worsening economic climate would go ahead nonetheless.
"The things that may have been compromised because of economic conditions beyond our control have had champions in Red Tree as well as the local planning authorities' delivery teams and their corner has been fought hard," he said.
"These proposals ensure that the site is deliverable in this market while sustaining the original vision for Sherford."
A special planning meeting to discuss the new Sherford plans is scheduled at the council on July 16.
Any comments on the plans to the city council should refer only to the addendum, and not the original application.