Issue - meetings

            That planning permission be granted subject to the applicant entering into a Section 106 agreement/unilateral undertaking or earlier payment for the following contributions:-

• £733 per unit for recreation enhancements in lieu of on-site provision towards teenager play provision at ‘Donkey Field’ Rhydymwyn; and
• Ensuring that the properties are sold at 90% of the market value at time of sale if the market value is more than £135,000 then the financial appraisal shall be reassessed in order for the relevant discount market value to be applied; or
• The properties are rented at an affordable rent at the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate for the area. 

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Planning and Environment) in respect of this application. 

            The officer detailed the background to the report and explained that planning permission had been granted in October 2015 which was subject to a Section 106 (S106) agreement to ensure that he dwellings were made affordable either by selling at 70% market value or that the properties were let at an affordable rent at the Local Housing Allowance rate for the area.  During the application process, the applicant had incurred additional costs as he had needed to provide an updated Flood Consequences Assessment and because of this, he was now asking that the dwellings be sold at 90% of market value.  The Council had verified the costs submitted by the applicant and the officer was therefore proposing that the S106 agreement reflect that the dwellings be sold at 90% discount market value but include a clause that should the properties be valued at more than £135,000 then the market discount be increased incrementally from 10% to a maximum of 30%. 

            Councillor Chris Bithell asked what safeguards would be put in place to ensure that the properties were sold at open market prices.  The Housing & Planning Solicitor advised that the S106 agreement would reflect the market value and this figure would need to be agreed with the applicant and the Local Planning Authority.  If agreement could not be reached, the District Valuer would be asked to provide a market value figure.    

            Councillor Owen Thomas proposed the recommendation for approval which was duly seconded.  He sought clarification about the 19 properties that had been built in Rhydymwyn, all of which were affordable homes and queried whether a S106 agreement was needed on this proposal.  In response, the Planning Strategy Manager said that Rhydymwyn was a Category C Settlement where all new dwellings had to meet proven local need. 

            RESOLVED:

            That planning permission be granted subject to the applicant entering into a Section 106 agreement/unilateral undertaking or earlier payment for the following contributions:-

• £733 per unit for recreation enhancements in lieu of on-site provision towards teenager play provision at ‘Donkey Field’ Rhydymwyn; and
• Ensuring that the properties are sold at 90% of the market value at time of sale if the market value is more than £135,000 then the financial appraisal shall be reassessed in order for the relevant discount market value to be applied; or
• The properties are rented at an affordable rent at the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate for the area.