March 13, 2018 8.31 pm This story is over 78 months old

Affordable housing reduced at 167-home North Hykeham development

Councillors reluctantly approved the changes.

Affordable housing will be reduced from 35% to 20% at a new 167-home estate in North Hykeham.

Councillors on North Kesteven District Council’s planning committee approved the changes by a margin of 10 to 0, with seven abstentions at a meeting in Sleaford on Tuesday, March 13.

The council previously gave the Tennyson Homes’ scheme the go-ahead in January 2017, but the development was brought back before them again due to the reduction in affordable housing.

The development on land off Cleveland Avenue sits within the now withdrawn 2007 North Kesteven Local Plan, which required the provision of 35% affordable housing, equating to 58 homes.

This has been replaced by the Lincoln Strategy Area, with the level of affordable housing now set at 20% or 33 homes.

Contribution towards education facilities in the area will also come down from £915,772 to £428,505, which would only go to primary provision.

Secondary school and sixth form improvements are now funded through a Community Infrastructure Levy, with the developers asked to make a payment of £335,000 to this.

Other approved payments connected to this development are:

  • £350,000 towards the Lincoln Southern Bypass or local projects if the bypass is not built
  • £70,975 to enhance medical facilities in North Hykeham
  • £131,170 for sports and leisure facilities in the town

Councillor Mike Clarke, Conservative member for North Hykeham Mill, said: “In general terms I support the application to increase housing stock.

“However, I’m disappointed that due to changes in planning regulations, people in North Hykeham will be disadvantaged.

“The developer will make savings of around £152,000 in education payments. This money would’ve been very helpful for North Hykeham.

“I’m also disappointed that changes in planning regulations have seen affordable housing come down.”