Firm wants to ditch affordable homes plan in Brigham as it’s not ‘viable’

Washington Homes has submitted a full planning application to Allerdale council for the homes at Lawson Garth.

In November 2013, the council agreed an outline plan for 22 homes, including four affordable dwellings and a community contribution of £100,000.

Seventy-four people had objected to it.

The latest application states: “Work has already started on the site under these planning approvals.

“With the benefit of detailed costings following involvement of quantity surveyors and other specialist consultants, it has become apparent the scheme is not viable when it is subject to the provision of the affordable housing and the financial contributions that were agreed at the outline planning stage.

“Our intention is for the current application to be approved with no affordable housing requirement and no financial contributions. Without these obligations the scheme will be both viable and fully deliverable.”

Nine letters of objection have been sent to Allerdale council.

Michael Myers, of Brigham and Broughton Parish Council, said: “The removal of the affordable housing provision is an affront to our community. It seems that the planning department always wishes to enhance the profits of builders at the expense of the parish’s desire for a mixed and balanced community.

“I am very surprised that an experienced building company is unable to draw up precise financial plans and costings so that the community contribution remains secure.”

Mark Greaves, of Brigham Parish Council, said to Allerdale: “Please hold on to the £100k developer contributions – highways may need the money and the school will certainly need it for the extra children – for the sake of the residents and taxpayers of Brigham.”

Jacqueline Hargreaves, of Lawson Garth, said: “We need affordable housing.

“The plans went through on that basis.”

She added: “The council should not allow changes at this stage just because the developer got it wrong.”