North Yorkshire Council members say they have already begun to receive objection letters to a development in Whitby that has not yet even requested planning permission.
Earlier this month, North Yorkshire Council (NYC) announced it was looking to enter into a 30 year partnership with national housing developer, Lovell, in a deal worth £3.9bn to help the authority meet the housing targets it says it has been set.
One of its two, first projects, is 60 homes on a parcel of council-owned land – off Sandsend Road and backing on to Love Lane – with 18 to be deemed affordable housing.
At an Executive meeting of NYC, held last week, to approve the joint venture agreement between the authority and Lovell, the council leader said he had received “a number” of letters about the Whitby project.
Coun Carl Les said: “We need to note we have all received a number of letters about this subject. The vast majority are to do with planning matters for a planning application, in Whitby, that has not yet been received.”
Locals are concerned about over-development, the lack of infrastructure, loss of greenspace and whether the properties will be sold or allocated specifically to local people and what does ‘affordable’ actually mean?
Andy Jefferson, on behalf of Whitby Community Network, spoke at last Tuesday’s neeting and said the proposals didn’t meet the town’s biggest needs.
Mr Jefferson said: “The proposed agreement is only providing 30 per cent as “affordable” housing. Thirty per cent “affordable” housing is the present requirement under the Local Plan for any housing developer, therefore how is this joint venture “increasing affordable housing delivery”? What benefit is being gained by the local taxpayers or the residents of Whitby?”
The average wage in Whitby still isn’t enough to meet mortgage requirements even for affordable housing, whilst 45 per cent of housing in town is being used for holiday or second homes, he added.
Councillors themselves expressed concern about affordability and making sure new homes meet Whitby’s need.
Coun Simon Myers, Executive Member for Culture, Arts and Housing, said NYC was looking at ways to make sure the houses are not later used for second homes or holiday lets.
He said: “The Council recognises the housing challenges facing Whitby, including affordability pressures, the impact of second homes and holiday accommodation, and the need for housing that meets the requirements of local residents.
“The provision of new social rented homes through this development would make a direct contribution towards addressing those needs and would provide housing that remains available to local households in perpetuity.
“The Council has also made clear it is considering mechanisms to ensure homes delivered through the joint venture, particularly in Whitby and other coastal communities, are used as primary residences rather than as second homes or holiday lets.
“Whether this is achieved through arrangements within the joint venture itself or through the planning process is still being considered, but the intention is clear: the homes are being delivered to meet local housing need and not to become short-term holiday accommodation.”
The meeting also heard any future planning applications for houses off Sandsend Road – and issues relating to affordable housing provision, highway safety, environmental impact, open space, biodiversity, drainage, and the future operation of Whitby golf course – will be subject to the usual planning processes.
The Sandsend Road development, alongside one in Eastfield, Scarborough for 550 homes, are the first two under the new partnership between NYC and Lovell.
They will be the first council houses for rent in the Whitby area for 50 years, added Coun Myers.
He said: “The Joint Venture has a specific objective of increasing the supply of affordable and social rented homes across the county.
“The development of site HA22 in Whitby presents an opportunity to facilitate the delivery of new council-owned social rented homes, which are the most affordable form of housing available. These homes would provide accommodation for local people on local incomes and would, to my knowledge, be the first new social rented homes delivered in Whitby for more than 50 years.”
There will be 49 affordable homes at Broomfields Phase 3, a development being built by NYC’s own housing company, whilst NYC is still exploring 100 per cent affordable housing near Rievaulx Road, Whitby.
Coun Caroline Goodrick added joint venture developments should also be considered for providing much needed accommodation for young people coming out of care.
