PROPOSALS by Barratt, the developers, to scrap plans for the provision of onsite affordable housing in Alton were lambasted by councillors at last week's north planning committee meeting. Councillors voted 12 to one against allowing the developers to replace on-site affordable housing with dwellings for private sale, saying that the policy to supply Alton residents with affordable housing "wasn't pick 'n' mix". The site being discussed for development is known as Ben Moreland, 42 Asdell Road, and lies to the rear and south of 44 to 60 Asdell Road, opposite King's Pond on the southern boundary of Alton. Following various applications and subsequent appeals by the developers to get maximum usage from the site, it seemed a happy medium had been reached when planning permission was granted on appeal for the construction of 30 dwellings. The development would consist of 14 houses, a single block of eight apartments, and a further block of eight affordable flats. The approved scheme also included a developer contribution towards the provision of two further affordable dwellings offsite, secured by unilateral undertaking. However, Barratt has since grown uneasy with the previous agreement and proffered an application to replace the terrace of eight affordable flats with a two-and-a-half-storey terrace of four houses for private sale. To meet the affordable housing element, Barratt offered a developer contribution towards the provision of nine affordable dwellings offsite. Councillor Bob Chilton, local member for Ashdell, said that he spoke for the wishes of his ward as he offered his support to the scheme. "Great strides have been made not only in this area, but in development as a whole," he explained. "Local people are much happier with the current proposal than they were with the appeal decision. "Barratt has worked very hard to see what can be done to improve what was under the appeal conditions," he told the committee. Barratt's argument for no affordable housing onsite is to decrease the density of the development. They feel that by moving the affordable housing offsite, they would be able to supply less dense affordable housing, which would increase local support. "There is a very good reason for having affordable housing offsite, and that is best use of land," added Mr Chilton. "I would like the scheme given permission; it's generally more in keeping, and that is the view of a number of people on my ward." The area to the rear of the development site is steeply sloping and much of the original garden is wooded and subject to a tree- preservation order. The site lies within a residential area where development consists of both single and two- storey development. Barratt was also concerned that as well as the effect on density, eight affordable flats would affect the layout of the site to a greater extent than four private houses would. Jerry Janes, councillor for Wooteys ward in Alton, told the committee that he felt Mr Chilton was implying people in private housing deserved the land more than those in affordable housing - and would make better use of it. "There's no reason why people in affordable housing don't deserve the space as much as the open house-market people do," he said. He also implored councillors to go along with the housing inspector's recommendation of refusal, "otherwise it is contrary to policy," he said. Chris Graham (Ropley and Tisted) accused those in favour of Barratt's new proposals of nimbyism and urged the committee to consider everyone equally. "What are people on the waiting lists for affordable housing going to think if we don't refuse this?" he asked. "What this application says to me is nimbyism. We can't make judgements on people. "Who's to say that people in 'nice' houses won't want people in affordable houses near them? We should represent everyone. Not just the few." Tony Ludlow, representing Amery, echoed his sentiments, saying that there is a policy to supply the people of Alton with affordable housing onsite. "It is a clear-cut case that there is no planning ground that would be justified for accepting [Barratt's] proposal," he said. Despite the unanimous verdict against amendments to the planning permission granted to Barratt, Mr Chilton remained adamant. "I will not ignore the opinion of my wards. I do not feel that social housing on this site is acceptable." However Mr Chilton's was a lone voice.
