Vindication for Trafford’s affordable homes stance
A decision to refuse permission to Redrow for a 400-home scheme on Warburton Lane in Partington has been upheld on appeal and Trafford Council said it would continue to do what it can to stop people from being priced out of the borough.
Trafford Council opposed Redrow Homes’ plans last year due to a lack of affordable properties within the proposed 61-acre development.
Trafford claimed that 45% of the homes should have been designated as affordable but Redrow did not include any affordable provision in its scheme.
Redrow subsequently appealed and the decision went to a public inquiry that concluded last week. Planning inspector Christina Downes sided with the council, stating in her decision letter that Redrow’s failure to provide affordable housing was given “very substantial weight” in the case.
Cllr James Wright, Trafford Council’s executive member for housing and regeneration, said this week: “Our priority is to see quality, affordable and social housing being built in Trafford.
“We don’t want anyone, particularly Trafford residents, to get priced out of living here. Therefore, we will do all we can to make sure people can afford to live in the area, that fair and inclusive housing will be built for all and that our children can continue living in Trafford if they so desire.”
Meanwhile, developer Countryside Properties’ plans for more than 400 homes, across two plots north of the site of the refused Redrow scheme, were given the go-ahead by Trafford Council last month.
A total of 118 homes, spread across plots at Hall Lane and another next to the Ship Canal, have been earmarked as affordable.
In addition, the developer will make a financial contribution to the building of the Carrington Relief Road, which will help to improve the accessibility of the area.
Cllr Wright added: “We welcome large scale developments but they must be compliant with our affordable housing policy and suit the needs of the borough.”
Hold firm Trafford!! Sick of these major housebuilders and their bland house designs making all areas of the UK look the same.
By Anonymous
Redrow is a high quality developer, hopefully it and the council can work jointly to solve the affordable housing issue
By TJL
I agree with TJL’s points. The Redrow build quality – and convincing fenestration (think of an Arts and Crafts-inspired take on 1930s residential architecture) stand head and shoulders over most mass housebuilders’ products. I’ve experienced this quality first hand from a 1990s built Redrow house. Credit where credit is due.
I do agree though that I’d like some more variety and more inspiration from the local vernacular.
By Steve W
Affordable housing tends to be bland, because developers are obliged to sell the properties at less than the market price, and sometimes even less than the construction price. Thus, they are very unlikely to “waste” money on quality materials, varied designs, tree planting, bespoke features, picture windows, chimneys, meaningful gardens or any of the other features that make houses attractive. Unsurprisingly, they regard affordable housing as an additional “cost”, and so they have little alternative but to cram the houses in and build them as cheaply as possible. It’s a depressing truth, but if you want “better housing”, you have to provide the developers with a lot more land, and let them attract buyers on the basis of “quality” rather than the mere shortage of supply.
By Moomo