A block of 38 flats can be built in the middle of a small North Somerset town without any affordable housing.
Developments Bristol Ltd was previously granted planning permission to build the seven-storey block of flats on the long derelict Weston College building in the middle of Nailsea on the condition that eight of the flats be affordable housing. But the housing association who had planned to deliver the affordable homes has pulled out and now developers now say it will not be viable to include any affordable housing in the development.
After carrying out their own viability assessment, North Somerset Council ’s planning officers agreed. The council’s planning committee has now voted to allow the development to go ahead without any affordable housing on December 18.
Local councillor Mike Bird (Nailsea Yeo, Independent), who called the plans in to the committee, said: “This site has been disused and derelict for over 25 years and is of high importance to the town and residents. My intention is simply to put the application fully in the public light.”
He added: “Is removal of affordable housing in the site valid given what seems now to be unviable? This is weighed against the very long need to redevelop this prime town centre site which has been an eyesore for many years.
“And I think most residents of Nailsea would simply want something done here.”
Robert Payne (Weston-super-Mare Central, Liberal Democrat) said: “I think it is regrettable that we won’t be getting any affordable housing which we desperately need, but on balance I think it is something that we should accept.”
(Image: Bristol Live)
The old Weston College building has stood derelict at the Crown Glass Shopping Centre for ten years. It stands next to the town’s iconic octagonal former library, which was snapped up quickly after the library moved out and is now the Libro Lounge restaurant. As well as the flats, the development will also see three new shopfronts opened up on Somerset Square, ready for businesses to move in.
Speaking for the developers, Developments Bristol Ltd, Adam Phelps said: “North Somerset is often faced with development pressure to build out into the countryside due to current housing pressure. This scheme will deliver 38 much needed new dwellings on a relatively large previously developed site in the centre of Nailsea, which has been vacant for ten years.”
The planning committee voted unanimously to allow the development to go ahead without the affordable housing.
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