Developer seeks to back out of providing affordable homes in Charlton
Developer Madura is seeking to no longer provide any “affordable” housing as previously agreed at a new block of flats in Charlton.
Instead they seek to give Greenwich Council £455,695.
With the authority buying many homes off the market at an average of £350,000 that’ll barely buy one home, with over 20,000 on the council waiting list and homeless households doubling in three years to a record high above 1,500.
When the block was originally approved, plans stated:
“In accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework, Hexagon Housing Association or one of of Royal Borough of Greenwich preferred partners will provide new residential accommodation on this brownfield site with a range of accommodation type, size and tenure to reflect local demand”.
The assumption therefore was 14 “affordable” flats provided by a Housing Association, which is now reducing to 14 market sale and a small payment which will provide fewer than two affordable homes.
Here we go again.
John is the planning link correct? It goes to an application for the O2 to build an indoor skydiving centre.
Ah balls I will will change soon had that on another tab.
Unless someone clearly defines the term “affordable housing” then this is all just meaningless flimflam. I’m tired of this term being used as a talking point when nobody actually understands what it is supposed to mean.
Most applications do state what “affordable” is whether it be 80 per cent market rate which is still rarely affordable down to 40-50 per cent which is to many people.
Whenever a plan stipulates the break down of “affordable” I give the figures.
Much is a minefield designed to obsfuscate a lack of homes that are truly affordable.
Let’s hope that Greenwich refuses (fat chance to no chance). The developer will more than likely appeal, though.