Decision details

Details:

One detached two-storey building comprising 2 flats; access; parking

Public Participants:

Town Cllr Treleaven – Ringwood Town Council.

Additional Representations:

The Applicant reaffirmed that they considered that the proposal would not be viable if an affordable housing contribution was paid.

Comment:

Cllr Rippon-Swaine disclosed a non-pecuniary interest as a member of Ringwood Town Council which had commented on the application.  He concluded that there were no grounds under common law to prevent him from remaining in the meeting to speak and to vote.

Members’ attention was drawn to recent correspondence from the Head of Planning and Transportation advising them that Government Guidance that had attempted to remove the Local Planning Authority’s ability to require contributions towards social housing to be paid for developments of fewer than 10 dwelling had been ruled unlawful.  This Council was entitled to continue to require such contributions to be paid as developers could submit evidence to demonstrate that the development would not be viable should such payment be made.  In the present case, the applicant had asserted that this development would not be viable, but this Council’s Valuer did not agree with that conclusion.

Decision:

Refused

     Reasons:

As per report (Item 3(b))