A DEVELOPER'S attempts to remove a condition requiring flats on the site of a former police station to be occupied on an affordable housing basis have been met with opposition.
Aster Communities is seeking planning permission from Dorset Council for Constable Close, Ferndown, so three flats can be sold on the open market.
East Dorset District Council approved plans to redevelop the land back in 2001 to create 30 flats across three blocks.
This led to the creation of the housing off Ringwood Road, with an affordable housing requirement in the scheme.
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The applicant says the restrictions “no longer serve a useful purpose” but objections have been submitted.
Ferndown North ward councillors Cathy Lugg and Mike Parkes said: “We have a lack of affordable housing in Ferndown.
“The obligation came about as part of the planning process and the applicant was aware of this.
“We do not agree with the discharge of the obligation.”
As part of its application, Aster said: “The restrictions on use and occupation within the agreement no longer serve a useful purpose.
“The applicant is also hoping to dispose of the property they have an interest over on the open market. The agreement at present does not currently allow this.”
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Dorset Council’s housing enabling team, which is tasked with working with interested parties to plan and deliver affordable housing schemes, said it did not agree with the applicant's claims.
A statement from the housing enabling team submitted in response to Aster’s proposal said if the application was approved it would mean there is no affordable housing on the site.
There are currently 2,851 active applications on the Dorset Council housing register, which the team said demonstrated a “high level of recorded housing need across the area”, with arrange of dwelling sizes required.
“Aster state that the restrictions do not serve a useful purpose, however there is a high level of housing need across Dorset and these properties help to meet this need,” the housing enabling team said.
“Having affordable housing on open market site helps to create a balanced and sustainable community, especially in high value area such as Ferndown.
“It is appreciated that it can be difficult to manage different tenures of housing in one block of flats but due to the high level of housing need in the area this application is not supported by the Housing Enabling Team.”
The application to remove the obligation for affordable housing is currently being considered by Dorset Council’s planning department.
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