Two blocks of flats to be built in Court Street, south Leamington were due to have 40% affordable housing. However, Warwick District Council’s planning committee on 4th May agreed that they don’t need ANY!
Councillors Colin Quinney (Labour) and Ian Davison (Green Party) who are members of the committee had asked for the decision to be deferred to check the legal position: this proposal was narrowly defeated.
Since then, they have written to the Council asking whether policy and guidance was followed, as explained by Cllr Quinney: “At the meeting, Cllr Davison quoted both national guidance and the Council’s own local plan to show that the correct procedures weren’t followed. On the night, the counter-arguments seemed weak, so we’re asking the Council to review the decision and to tighten its procedures to ensure the affordable housing that we desperately need is built”.
Cllr Davison added: “Residents are suspicious that this 80 unit development with 71 studio/one person flats is designed for students, and furious that no local families may live there because of the complete absence of affordable housing.”
Reported in Warwickshire World
To view the plans find W/19/0531 on the council’s planning portal.
