Fenland council set to tell developer he need no longer build social housing on village site

DEVELOPERS claim that unless a council alters its consent for a new housing estate in the Fens, it would not be viable for them to continue. The property company, headed by businessman Trevor Skoulding, fought off fierce opposition to win consent for the

DEVELOPERS claim that unless a council alters its consent for a new housing estate in the Fens, it would not be viable for them to continue.

The property company, headed by businessman Trevor Skoulding, fought off fierce opposition to win consent for the homes at 55 The Chase, Leverington, but now want the planning conditions amended.

Fenland District Council Planning Committee will be asked to amend the terms next week after Nigel Brown, development services manager, conceded the site "is not financially viable to develop within the terms of the existing section 106 obligation".

Mr Brown will advise councillors that "by virtue of the heavy constraints on the site- trees and access- it is not possible to increase the density of the site. This has resulted in a very unique case for the development of the site".

Mr Brown said the council's own specialists had confirmed the site is unique and agreed with the proposal to remove an obligation to provide a third of the homes for social housing.

Instead the developers will be asked to make a contribution of �10,000 per home to be split between housing, education and public open space.

The deed of variation has not met with universal approval, and the committee will hear of objections from at least five residents and Leverington Parish Council.

Mr Brown will tell councillors that should a detailed application be submitted for more than 16 houses, then the original terms of the 106 agreement should stand.