Parish council will object to removal of affordable homes requirement from Alston Gate

Malborough Parish Council says its will object to the application to remove the affordable housing at the Alston Gate development. 

We previously reported [FULL STORY HERE] that the developer at the Alston Gate site in Malborough has applied to remove the requirement for affordable homes, saying there are "substantial financial viability issues" in the plans current form. 

Malborough Parish Council have now confirmed they will be objecting to the application. 

Katharine Harrod, Malborough Parish Clerk, said: "The site was approved including 50 percent affordable housing, this is an essential requirement in this area as the cost of housing is inflated due to the number of holiday properties and second homes in the area.

"This application, along with applications 1557/21/VAR and 1558/21/VAR, if permitted, would change the entire look of the estate - for example brick walls being replaced by cheaper options, the removal of garages and the amendment of the S106 agreement to remove affordable housing.

"None of this is in keeping with the original application and it is not what the people of the parish want or need.

"The parish council believes the variations change this estate so significantly it would barely be recognisable from the original approved plans. Due to the extent of the variations, along with the request to remove all affordable housing, all plans for this development should be withdrawn and resubmitted as a new planning application to be assessed accordingly by the SHDC planning department."

The decision is expected to be made by Wednesday, 18 August 2021.