Bid to cut quota of affordable homes rejected

Plans to slash the number of affordable homes at a Bath development because of the impact of the coronavirus crisis have been rejected.

Hard Rock Developments warned its Holburne Park project was at risk of failure unless it could cut the number of affordable homes from 246 to 189.

B&NES Council planning bosses rejected consent because the proportion of affordable properties, 15 per cent across the former Ministry of Defence site in Warminster Road, was well below the 40 per cent required.

Representing the developer, planning consultant Charlotte Taylor-drew said: “My client started construction in 2016. Since then the world has changed dramatically.

“Two general elections have taken place. Brexit has happened. coronavirus has had an additional impact on the viability.”

Hardrock said it was racking up bills of £625,000 while the site was shut down, and that hundreds of jobs depended on the scheme.

It said it was not viable to build affordable homes on the site but offered the council £644,000 to build them elsewhere, £1.1 million for infrastructure improvements and a share of the profits if they are more than current forecasts.

Planning officers said these arguments outweighed the failure to provide on-site affordable housing.

Cllr Manda Rigby said it was finely balanced but disagreed, saying: “Our allocation for affordable housing on this site should be 40 per cent.

“There’s got to be very good reason to break current policies. We’re being asked to approve 15 per cent.”

Cllr Eleanor Jackson said the circumstances may be exceptional but all developers faced the same challenges.

The committee voted to refuse planning permission by six votes to three against.