The approval of housing plans on a former quarry site in Lincoln has stirred up quite a discussion, especially regarding the number of homes classified as "affordable."
Lindum Homes is set to construct 70 new residences on the Riseholme Road site, which historically provided stone for the iconic Lincoln Cathedral. However, the plans faced scrutiny when county councillors postponed their decision last month, seeking more information after the developer revealed it could only manage to offer six affordable homes.
After much deliberation, the planning committee ultimately approved the development on Monday, citing a lack of legal grounds to reject the proposal despite some reservations. Typically, developers are expected to allocate about 25% of new homes as affordable housing to support lower-income residents. In this case, Lindum Homes argued that they could only provide 8% of the total homes at an affordable rate.
Robert Jays, the planning manager for Lindum, emphasized the complexities involved with this site, pointing out significant unexpected costs associated with the development. He acknowledged the community's frustration regarding the affordable housing issue, explaining that an external review confirmed that six was indeed the highest number they could feasibly offer at this stage.
Councillor Marianne Overton voiced her concerns during the meeting, stating that Lincoln is in "dire need" of affordable housing and suggested that stricter regulations should be implemented regarding what developers must contribute. Similarly, Councillor Charlotte Vernon expressed disappointment that the percentage of affordable housing fell below 10%. She did, however, express relief over the existence of a review mechanism that would allow for reassessment of the situation if financial circumstances were to improve in the future.
Local residents have also raised objections, particularly concerning the loss of this green space, which, while not publicly accessible, is home to various trees and wildlife. Future planning applications will need to provide additional details, including the design and layout of the new homes.
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