LANDLORD Dave Wells has vowed to build the controversial development in Barrack Road, Christchurch despite an appeal setback last week.

The proposed development for 34 flats at 217-225 Barrack Road in Christchurch were rejected by the planning inspector because they did not provide sufficiently cheap units, although they were praised for their design.

But now, despite the inspector’s ruling, the social landlord says he is determined to forge ahead with another application, even if it means less affordable housing.

Mr Wells said: “It’s ironic that we were offering all of the flats to the local authority under what has traditionally been known as ‘affordable housing’ but, because the planning inspector has focused on a change of policy, we’re having to revise the plans and the result will actually be less low-cost housing on the site.”

The proposal from Dave Wells Properties was to offer all the flats at local area housing allowance rates but a change in policy means affordable now constitutes even lower cost social rents and intermediate affordable housing.

Dave added: “We’ll work with the council to find the best way forward but, with strong support from the planning inspector for the design, we plan to resubmit our planning application.

“This time though we’ve decided it’s more cost effective for us to reduce the allocation of affordable units to around 30 per cent social rents or intermediate affordable housing. The rest will be allocated to private tenants of Dave Wells Properties.”

The appeal inspector disagreed with Christchurch Borough Council’s claim that the development would not enhance the area and awarded appeal costs to Dave Wells Properties.