Affordable housing removal at Land South Of And Adjoining Station Road, Beckingham

What was proposed

The application sought to vary condition 1 to remove 20 affordable homes from the illustrative layout plan.

“Application Reference 24/01454/VOC Application Type Variation of Condition Proposal Variation of condition 1 to P/A 24/00811/VOC - Amendment to site layout to remove affordable housing element - Land South of and adjoining Station Road, Beckingham.”

“The current application seeks permission to vary condition 1 of planning application ref:24/00811/VOC, in order to remove the affordable housing (20 units) from the illustrative layout plan.”

Officer report

The site

The site is undeveloped agricultural land south of Beckingham, bounded by roads, housing, the railway, community facilities and an oil pipeline.

“The site consists of undeveloped agricultural land which lies to the south of Beckingham Village. The site lies opposite the relatively recently completed The Willows/Deerlands Way residential development. The site is bounded by Low Street to the west, Station Road to the north, the East Coast Mainline to the east and the village hall, bowling green and recreation ground to the south.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Earlier permissions allowed up to 58 dwellings, approved 57 dwellings and open space, and later varied several conditions.

“Outline planning permission was allowed on appeal to erect upto 58 dwellings in July 2018 (ref: 17/00052/OUT). This permission was subject to S106 Legal agreement which secured a number of planning obligations including the provision of 35% affordable housing. Reserved Matters was approved for the erection of 57 dwellings and open space in September 2022. (ref: 21/00930/RES)”

“A further application to remove condition 3 and vary conditions 8, 15, 17, 18, 22 and 23 of p.a. 21/00930/RES, in order to re-word the pre-commencement conditions to compliance conditions, was granted in September 2024 (ref: 24/00811/VOC).”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended approval because the scheme was unviable with affordable housing, while grant funding could deliver it and other impacts would be acceptable.

“Grant funding for the affordable units would be provided by Homes England the government's housing and regeneration agency, tasked with accelerating the pace of house building and regeneration across England. The scheme therefore proposes that Forge Homes deliver the 35% affordable units, and purchased by Together Housing Group with grant funding from Homes England.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The housing officer expected affordable housing, while no comments had been received from highways or the parish council when the report was drafted.

“NCC Highways No comments were received at the time of drafting this report. BDC Strategic Housing Officer. We would expect there to be affordable housing on this site. The new local plan also states “There would be a requirement for 25% of all units on Greenfield sites to be affordable and 20% of all units on Brownfield sites to be affordable.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Senior Planning Officer presented the application, and the applicant spoke in support under the public participation rules.

Members’ debate

Members asked material and non-material questions, which the Senior Planning Officer and Head of Planning and Place addressed.

“Members asked several material and non-material questions during the debate. These questions and comments were addressed by the Senior Planning Officer and Head of Planning and Place.”

“In conclusion, the Chair summarised the debate.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee resolved to grant planning permission subject to conditions.

“Recommendation of the Head of Planning and Place: Grant Planning Permission Subject to Conditions.”

“Committee Decision Resolved that: Grant Planning Permission Subject to Conditions.”

Minutes