Go-ahead for new affordable homes to service town’s housing shortage
APPROVAL FOR 37 TO EASE 141 HOUSEHOLDS IN NEED OF REASONABLE COST PROPERTIES
COUNCILLORS have approved plans for affordable homes in a Derbyshire town where there are more than 140 households in need of homes at a reasonable cost.
The approval of the 37-home plans, from MyPad 2020, for the former Dove Service Station in Mayfield Road, Ashbourne, highlighted the scale of the shortfall in affordable homes in the area.
Jeremy Mason, rural housing enabler for Derbyshire Dales District Council, said during this week’s planning meeting there are 141 households on the housing register seeking an affordable home in Ashbourne.
These are people who either live in Ashbourne or claim a local connection to it and meet strict criteria showing they cannot afford a market home.
Due to this issue, councillors were eager to approve the homes, which would be managed by Nottingham Community Housing Association.
All 37 houses on the site would be affordable housing, with 20 available for affordable rent (80% of the area’s market rent), and 17 shared ownership (residents own a portion of the home).
Representatives from the housing association and on behalf of the applicants explained the homes would be highly sustainable and energy efficient.
This includes solar panels on each home, ground-source heat pumps, eco wall insulation, water retention measures and energy-saving appliances.
However, concerns were raised by councillors on the district council planning committee about the potential for the roads on the development not to be adopted by Derbyshire County Council. The county council says the proposed footways are not wide enough, which could cause the roads not to be taken on by the authority.
This may mean the would-be residents of the affordable homes could be responsible for maintaining the roads, including repairs.
Cllr Clare Gamble said this would be “unreasonable” for residents who were being supported to get affordable housing. Cllr Sue Burfoot said it could also mean the development could not have street lighting, which she said is what happened on a site in Tansley which was unadopted by the council.
Isabel Cogings, on behalf of the housing association, said the homes would be the most energy-efficient houses built in the Dales outside of the private sector. She told the meeting: “It is a significant achievement to bring forward a 100% affordable scheme of 37 homes on a former garage site, where each home has an A-rated energy certificate
“It is a fabulous opportunity to deliver much-needed affordable homes in a central location in Ashbourne, close to a wide range of local facilities on a rather unsightly brownfield site which will greatly enhance this part of town.”
Mr Mason said: “Housing need across the whole district, including in Ashbourne, is well-documented.
“The very latest data which I got today from the housing register shows there are 141 applicants on our housing register who either live in Ashbourne or claim a local connection to it, households in need of new affordable housing.
“These homes will help address the housing need in the area.”
Jenny Bayes, agent for the applicants, said the homes would be two-storeys tall and designed to mimic the Victorian terraced homes adjacent to the site. She said: “The design proposals offer an opportunity to improve the general street frontage of the site and to provide a more suitable solution for the gateway into the Ashbourne conservation area.
“The south part of the site is prone to flooding, so it is proposed the housing sits on a plateau, complex flood modelling has been undertaken to ensure this is of no detriment to the surrounding area.”
Ms Bayes said the site would produce less traffic than the site’s former use as a service station and garage. There would be 57 parking spots on the site.
Residents had written objection letters opposing the plans based on existing parking issues on Mayfield Road, which often render the street a one-way route.
Cllr Robert Archer said while there were “many positives” with the scheme: “Parking in that part of town is a bit of a nightmare, it can be very tricky. We do not want parking on this road, it is a nightmare as it is.”
Cllr Peter Slack said: “I think this is a great development, it is something we have been looking for, for a long while.
“We have been here several times with different schemes and this is the best one, it could be a blueprint for future schemes.”
Cllr Richard FitzHerbert said: “This has been going on for 16 years now, and from my knowledge of Ashbourne and loving the town as I do, we do really need to clear up this site now.”
Cllr Tom Donnelly said: “I am delighted this has come to Ashbourne, it is very much needed. It is the best scheme that has come to this area for a long, long time.”