Agenda item - BH2020/00002 - Coombe Farm, Westfield Avenue North, Saltdean BN2 8HP - Amend Heads of Terms

1.    The Planning manager introduced the report.

Questions to officers

2.    Councillor Fishleigh was informed that intermediate rent was a rent set at a level where residents can purchase other properties, but not those being rented. No CIL would be attracted by the application.

3.    Councillor Childs was informed that the affordable rent would be at 80% of the market rent. It was noted that the plan was to rent everything on the site.

Debate

4.    Councillor Childs considered the application was good to give residents a chance to get onto the housing ladder.

5.    Councillor Theobald considered it was good to have some shared ownership properties and more would be preferable.

6.    Councillor Miller considered younger people need housing the retention of the shared ownership would be better.

7.    Councillor Shanks considered rented properties were wanted.

8.    Councillor Janio was informed by the Senior Solicitor that the applicant could go to appeal if the committee refused the application. The councillor felt that the council should negotiate and stated that he was against the application.

9.    Councillor Miller was informed by the Senior Solicitor that intermediate rent accorded with affordable housing definition.

10.The Planning manager confirmed that the development had changed, and the application had been agreed before and the council will get the affordable housing.

11.A vote was taken, and the committee voted by 4 to 5 against the officer recommendation. (Councillor Yates had left the meeting and did not take any part in the discussions or decision making process).

12.A motion to refuse the application was proposed by Councillor Miller and seconded by Councillor Janio.

13.A vote was taken, and the committee voted by 6 to 3 to refuse the application to alter the heads of terms as the intermediate rent is not negotiable. (Councillor Yates had left the meeting and did not take any part in the discussions or decision making process).

14.RESOLVED: The application is REFUSED.