No affordable housing plan cleared to start work

Work is set to begin on dozens of new flats in Wokingham town centre, none of which will be affordable.

A legal agreement required between Wokingham Borough Council and developers Devonshire Metro has been signed for plans which will create a new mixed-use development at Market Place in the town centre.

The plans were approved in February by the council's planning committee despite concerns that the project would deliver no affordable housing.

It will build 60 new homes, commercial floorspace, public and private amenity space, and a new pedestrian route.

Architect firm Architecture Initiative said the development would 'revive' an 'under-used' patch of Wokingham town centre.

Speaking at a planning committee in February, Councillor Rachelle Shepherd-DuBey said: "As someone who grew up in affordable housing, I really think it's a horrible idea that we don't have any affordable housing in this development."

She added that allowing such developments could help make Wokingham 'a town for only the rich, not for the average earners or the poor.'

At the time, council planning rules said developments of at least 15 homes in a 'major development location' such as Wokingham should include at least 30 per cent affordable housing.

This has since increased to a 40 per cent as part of the authority's local plan for housing, recently approved by councillors.

This will become binding once approved by a government inspectorate.

But laws say developers don't have to do this if they can provide a 'viability assessment' showing construction costs mean they wouldn't make a profit without charging full market rates.

The Section 106 legal agreement between the council and developer contains the condition that once the project is delivered, a 'viability review' be undertaken to 'confirm the situation has not changed'.

Following the completion of this agreement, work can now commence on the project.

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