Approval for housing estate - but disappointment at reduction in ‘affordable’ homes
A NEW housing estate has been approved in Redhill, despite councillors’ disappointment over the lack of affordable housing.
The application for 141 homes off the A60 was approved unanimously by Gedling Borough Council on Wednesday, March 28.
The new estate, near Bestwood County Park, will form the second part of the Eagle’s Edge development.
According to council policies, a development of that size would have required 42 cheaper-priced homes.
However, officers said that £4m of “abnormal costs” meant developer Cora (formally Barwood Homes) could only afford to provide 21 before the project was financially unviable. The site is steeply sloping
and had other difficult terrain which would need to be levelled out during construction. There will also be 15 properties set aside as first homes.
Councillor David Ellis (Lab) said: “I’m disappointed to see another scheme without full affordable housing. We’ve ended up halfway towards the policy.”
Councillor Mike Adams (Con) questioned whether the affordable homes policy should be reviewed – “otherwise we’re going to be in this position of being disappointed every time.”
Officers said the site had unique challenges which weren’t fully known when it was allocated for housing, and that the policy would be reviewed by Cabinet later this year. The development was unanimously approved by planning committee members.
Robbie Locke, Head of Planning & Strategic Land at Cora, said after the meeting: “We are delighted to receive permission for the second phase of Eagle’s Edge. This development will provide a further 144 energy efficient new homes for the community – including those available on the government backed First Homes scheme along with affordable rental options, all of which will be set within more than two hectares of open space.”