Request to cut affordable homes from Long Sutton development ‘sad’

A council chairman has labelled a developer’s request to cut affordable homes from a new estate as ‘very sad’.

Stinders Homes has been given the green light to build 70 homes at Lime Walk, Long Sutton, on a 2.24 hectare greenfield site.

The company claims that rising costs means it would not be able to build 17 affordable homes as part of the project due to not being able to reach their targeted 17.5% profit margin.

It is claimed the profit margin would more likely be 6.94% – around £1.3 million.

“I think it’s very, very sad indeed,” said John Clarey, chair of Long Sutton Parish Council.

“In my opinion, the developers go for the easiest route to have that planning application accepted, and it always seem that when they get that application (granted) they think ‘blow me, what can we do to better it for ourselves and not the community?’

“Long Sutton, like every little settlement, wants affordable homes for the young people.

“They’ve got no chance of owning their own homes without affordable homes. It’s possibly the only way forward for them.”

Coun Clarey believes building affordable homes will be vital to help youngsters stay in the area that’s always been their home.

“It’s young adults, who have grown up here and want their own homes,” he added.

“We did a survey a few years ago and that was top of people saying what they wanted.

“We’ve got to do all we can to help and support people who want to stay in Long Sutton.”

A report commissioned by Stinders Homes and put together by S106 Management states: “With predictions of a forthcoming recession combined with persistent high inflation provides a bleak outlook for construction over the next two years.

“Construction demand is expected to shrink, and with fewer opportunities there will be a greater keenness to secure work,

“Although materials prices will fall long term, in the short term, current inflationary pressures are expected to keep labour costs rising resulting in increases in both costs and tenders.”

The site – which includes six detatched homes, 52 semi-detatched homes and 12 terraced houses, is predicted to make £18,932,500 in sales, although construction would cost £10,829,366.

Other costs would include site costs, marketing and finance.

At the latest Long Sutton Parish Council meeting the council also resolved to respond to comments made at a South Holland District Council planning meeting, in relation to section 106 funding requests being labelled ‘vague’ regarding the Four Acres site application in Lime Walk.

The council has also shared a section 106 request with this paper outlining the details they believe are being unfairly treated, calling comments unjustified.

LSPC also resolved to write to all individual members of SHDC to request that Community Infrastructure Levy be placed on a full council agenda for discussion and revisit the policy now it was established as detailed in the current Local Plan.

A vacancy has arisen on the council.

LSPC agreed to look at a climbing wall installation and invite the company representative to attend the next parks committee meeting.

It also approved the 2023 Hockey Club Colour Run event for August 30 and resolved to ask the Civic Society to ascertain who is responsible for the Town Pump and also to confirm the true historic design of the pump due to photographs provided and the pump depicted in the early 20th century in local history photographs over a refurbishment project issue.