Four DMS affordable homes at Land At Triggs Farm, Cranbrook Road, Goudhurst, Cranbrook

What was proposed

The application sought to change the tenure of four secured affordable homes to Discount Market Sale without altering their size, appearance or location.

“This application is to modify the original S106 agreement under 17/02765/OUT, with regard to the affordable housing tenure, for 4 affordable homes that have been secured. To provide Discount Market Sale (DMS) homes, instead of 50% social rent and 50% intermediate housing. The size, appearance and location of the units are unaltered, being located at plots 1 & 2 and 11 & 12.”

“The proposed DMS housing is a low-cost home ownership product tailored to assist eligible local buyers to purchase new homes at a reduced market value. It is a scheme that offers a discount on the open market price, at a cost of 20% lower than the open market price, and which is identified as a form of Affordable Housing under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 2024.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because Discount Market Sale is recognised affordable housing, retains local priority, meets policy requirements and preserves other contributions.

“This is an allocated site for housing, within the development boundary for Goudhurst in the Local Plan (Policy AL/GO2 Land at Triggs Farm), which has planning permission for 12 houses, and an extant permission which can be built out and which contributes to the Council’s 5 Year Housing Land Supply position.”

“DMS housing is for local people, who must still meet a local connection cascade and have a local connection to the area, as set out in Policy H3 • The legal agreement will still deliver affordable housing, albeit a different tenure and this satisfies criteria in Local Plan Policy H3 • Although no social or intermediate housing will be provided, this application will ensure the delivery of on-site affordable housing, a priority for the Council • DMS housing complies with…”

Officer report

What consultees said

The housing team said providers had not made viable offers, while local-connection criteria and a resale discount would be secured.

“Housing 04.12.25 Due to the current financial and housing market conditions, the agent/applicant has not received any viable offers from housing providers to acquire the 4 affordable homes. The agent/developers have provided evidence of financial constraints, hence this application to modify the S106, i.e. to vary the existing 50/50 tenure split of social…”

“DMS housing is a low-cost home ownership product tailored to assist eligible local buyers to purchase new homes at a reduced market value. It is a scheme that offers a discount on the open market price of a new build homes, usually at around 20% of the open market price.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke on behalf of the applicant.

What members debated

Members discussed resale restrictions, alternatives to Discount Market Sale, benefits for local buyers and the difficulty of delivering affordable housing on small sites.

“- There was a concern that DMS would become a preferred method of delivering affordable housing by developers, whereby properties could only be resold with restrictions included under DMS in regards to property price. - Members wanted to ensure that other methods of delivering affordable and social housing were still considered when bringing forward developments.”

“- It was noted that smaller schemes such as this application often faced more issues surrounding delivery of affordable compared to larger schemes due to the overall reduced number of properties being brought forward. - It was noted that affordable housing was discussed at length in the majority of planning committee meetings and it was important to bring this forward for the borough.”

Minutes

How members voted

A motion to approve in line with the officer recommendation was carried by eight votes, with one abstention.

“Decision/voting – On the basis that members were satisfied that all relevant planning considerations had been covered within the report, a motion was proposed by Councillor Le Page, seconded by Councillor Johnson and a vote was taken to approve the application in line with the officer recommendation. The motion was carried by 8 votes, and 1 abstention.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The legal agreement was modified to secure Discount Market Sale tenure for the affordable homes.

“RESOLVED – That application PLA252/25 be granted for the modification of the legal agreement under S106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) in a form agreed by the Head of Legal Partnerships and the Head of Planning to secure a variation of the affordable housing tenure for Discount Market Sales.”

Minutes