Fears affordable flats may ‘vanish’

FEARS have been raised that dozens of affordable flats planned for a major housing development could ‘disappear’ within five years.

Housing association Great Places wants to build 73 ‘rent-to-buy’ apartments on a former car wash site in Stockport town centre.

The one and twobedroom homes would be spread across two adjoining blocks on disused land at King Street West - part of the regeneration zone overseen by the town’s mayoral development corporation (MDC).

These would be let to working households at a discounted rent, giving tenants the opportunity to save for a deposit to buy their first home.

After five years they are offered the opportunity to purchase their apartment outright, or can increase their share in it over a longer period of time via a process known as ‘staircasing.’

But the prospect of the ‘100pc affordable’ development to effectively becoming market housing overnight raised concerns at the latest meeting of the council’s Central Area committee.

Coun Andy Sorton was among those who questioned the scheme.

“We should be celebrating tonight that we have 100pc affordable homes, but in five years’ time we might not have one affordable home on that site,” he said.

“That concerns me that it’s affordable now but in five years time there’s nothing to keep it affordable and therefore our policy falls.”

Coun Sorton told the meeting: “I’m concerned we are giving permission on the basis of it being affordable knowing, in five years’ time it won’t be affordable and our policies then won’t be worth the paper they are written on.”

Paul Taylor, development manager for Great Places, said that Homes England funding had been provided on the basis of a ‘rent-tobuy’ development - and this could not be changed by the applicant.

He said: “Great Places worked closely with stakeholders, including council officers to bring forward our proposals to deliver a high quality housing scheme on this vacant brownfield site.

“In summary, our proposed development at King Street West represents an important opportunity to Great Places affordable homes programme which is deliverable, ready to start and would aim to be completed by late 2024.”

Despite concerns over the potential loss of affordable housing - and some parking issues councillors agreed it was a welcome scheme.

Coun Matt Wynne said the site had been an ‘eyesore’ for several years and the development would improve the appearance of the area.

“I would propose that we grant this,” he said.

“It’s great to see great to see this kind of development at such an early stage in the MDC journey.’

There was no disagreement with his recommendation to the planning committee.