Council agrees to remove affordable housing clause for Wisbech 18-home development

A developer has been told they no longer need to provide affordable housing at an 18-home development in Wisbech because it is “unviable”.

Gemdome Ltd were granted planning permission for the homes, on land north of Ingleberry Caravan Park at Osborne Road, three years ago. At the time, a section 106 agreement was put in place for 35 per cent of the homes to be affordable.

In addition, the developer would contribute £23,580 towards infrastructure projects.

However, in May, following a viability assessment, the developer submitted a revised application calling for the affordable housing clause to be removed from the section 106 agreement.

This request has been approved by Fenland District Council, on the grounds that building begins within three years.

The officer’s report said: “A viability assessment has demonstrated that the provision of affordable housing in this instance would make the development of the site unviable.

“This has been assessed by the council and it has been confirmed that the findings of the viability assessment are acceptable and agreed with.”