Another example of a S106 agreement to provide social housing being dumped as it becomes 'unviable'
This one slips into the Planning lists this week, as HGY/2015/1394
It's the new-build block at 624 Tottenham High Road, on the site of a former Job Centre (so would have been DWP land). Junction Tottnm High Rd and Scotland Green.
The original permission in 2010 was for 42 dwelling units, 18 affordable : 14 social rent and 4 shared ownership. Now it's 'unviable', they want 36 market housing and 6 shared ownership. No social rent. They have lost a grant from the HCA of £1.77m, 'due to changes in the affordable housing sector'. I can't see anything on a quick skim through, that refers to the massive change in housing prices in the past five years.
One curious thing about this case is that they are able to time travel. A Street View image taken in August 2014 shows the boards around the scheme boasting 'A collection of contemporary apartments for private sale and shared ownership'. No social housing.
Over to you, Planning Committee. Do your job. Add it to the case studies of how developers change their minds after agreements have been made. Bear it in mind when playing games with the big boys in future. All those promised libraries and schools and roads and GP surgeries and social houses - dream on.
Looking at the application its worth noting that the agents applying have asked that the viability appraisal posted on the Haringey website is actually not to be made publicly available....
Well it was just part of the weekly listing of Planning Appns for the borough. What are they ashamed of?
And the St Ann's Hospital Site has planning permission for only 14% affordable housing although it is Council Policy to require a much higher percentage than that.
The London Mayor has also approved a redevelopment of the Mount Pleasant Sorting office Site with No affordable housing and Islington and Camden Councils are seeking Judicial Review.
That's OK, those who need social housing can just go and live in Bradford. Or Southend.
Or they can move into private HMO's and we carry on paying the rent direct into the landlord's pocket via housing benefit.
Fifty.
As "affordable" isn't, I don't use that word any more.
That's OK, Grainger has different doors for your people and other people.
Last night this topic was discussed on BBC Radio 4, in "The Affordable Housing Crisis", at 8pm.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05vzysp#auto
It might inform and answer some of the questions posed in this discussion, whilst also giving further food for thought.
It will be re-broadcast on Sunday at 5pm on R4 FM only.
© 2024 Created by Hugh. Powered by
© Copyright Harringay Online Created by Hugh