Star date: 3rd December 2019

NO AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND 'VIABILITY' ALLOWS REDUCED PAYMENTS

Despite Salford City Council passing a 'refreshed' planning policy recently, a planning application for 32 apartments on the site of the old Adelphi Lads Club, due to be considered this week, has no affordable housing.

The developer also avoids the full planning obligations via a 'viability' report, which hasn't been published despite the Council stating that in future there would be an 'expectation' that viability reports are published for the public.

Full details here...

It was only last week that Salford City Council's Cabinet passed a 'refresh' of its planning policy in which it "Changed those area/dwelling type combinations that had 'no requirement' for affordable housing to 'by negotiation' given the need for affordable housing across the city"...*

This week, a planning application from Tariq Mushtaq for the demolition of the old Adelphi Lads Club on the corner of Cannon Street and North George Street, M3, in order erect 32 apartments in blocks of up to five storeys (plus commercial space), doesn't even mention the possibility of affordable housing, never mind forcing the issue.

The proposed development is on the cusp of a mid and mid to high value area which should, according to Salford Council policy, be providing either 10% affordable housing, or affordable housing 'by negotiation'. In the event, there's absolutely none, 'by negotiation' or otherwise.

The planning report for the development also states that a "financial contribution of £145,000 is sought to make the development acceptable in principle...a site specific public realm contribution of £48,000 is also considered necessary to mitigate the impacts of the development..."

However, as the report goes on to state, "The applicant did not agree, for reasons of scheme viability, to contribute the full amount considered by the City Council...and has submitted a viability appraisal in support of their position..."

After the viability report was reviewed by an 'independent surveying consultant', it was agreed that the developer would only have to pay £125,000, plus a 'clawback' agreement should profits be excessive.

Again, the Council's 'refresh' of its policies states that there is an "Expectation that viability appraisals submitted as part of the planning application process will be published"...yet nowhere is this viability report available on the Council's website for the public and press to examine.

So, just a week after the Council's 'refreshed' planning policy, the first planning application to come to the planning panel of councillors has no affordable housing, reduced planning payments and no public scrutiny of the 'viability' report that led to those reduced payments.

* For a full background see previous Salford Star article – Salford City Council To Finally 'Refresh' Its Developer Friendly Planning Policy – click here