A councillor has branded a developer’s attempt to remove financial contributions towards education, recreation and affordable housing from a Catterick Garrison housing development an “absolute disgrace”.
Summerhouse Development Ltd has applied to North Yorkshire Council to modify the Section 106 agreement attached to its 67-home development at Hipswell Croft, off Hipswell Road.
The application seeks to remove the recreation facilities contribution, the education contribution and part of the affordable housing provisions agreed when planning permission was granted in February 2020.
The developer says the reason for seeking the changes is that the development has become “financially unviable”.
A cost analysis report has been submitted in support of the application.
However, Green Party councillor Kevin Foster, who represents Hipswell and Colburn on North Yorkshire Council, has criticised the move.
He said: “I’m not surprised they’re trying this again after we appealed and got it stopped last time.
“This is another example of people trying to get away from Section 106 agreements, which are vastly needed when we need more infrastructure and play areas in the areas where they’re building houses.
“It’s an absolute disgrace and it’s got to stop.”
When the 67-home scheme was considered, it proposed 52 market homes and 15 affordable properties, giving an affordable housing provision of just over 22 per cent.
The Section 106 agreement also included a £220,935 contribution towards education.
The council’s education authority said the money was needed to meet increased demand for places at Hipswell Church of England Primary School generated by the development.
A further £22,000 was earmarked for play and recreation facilities.
Rather than creating an equipped play area within Hipswell Croft, the money was intended to improve existing recreation facilities in Hipswell for use by residents of the new development.
The planning report from 2019 said developer contributions were required where infrastructure made necessary by a development could not be provided directly.
Permission was granted for 72 homes on the site in 2013, although that consent later expired.
That scheme was also subject to a Section 106 agreement requiring affordable housing as well as contributions of £11,489.50 towards play and recreation and £36,256 towards primary school places.
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So typical of developers. Promise anything to start a build and then do anything to get out of their responsibilities. Why is our council so inept when dealing with construction matters .