Affordable homes cut by 50 in Warsash development approval

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 10:19 · Archive

Fareham Borough Council approved a development of up to 180 homes in Warsash with affordable housing provision cut from 72 to 20.

Fareham Borough Council's planning committee unanimously approved the development of up to 180 homes on land east of Brook Lane in Warsash. The scheme, which has been in the planning process since 2017, had its affordable housing provision substantially reduced after the developer raised viability concerns.

Under planning policy, developments of this size should deliver 40 per cent affordable housing, equivalent to 72 homes. However, the latest proposals provide only 11 per cent, amounting to around 20 homes. The council's independent consultants confirmed that the reduced provision of 11 per cent affordable housing was acceptable, though this remains subject to further scrutiny once the development is underway.

Planning consultant David Jobbins, speaking on behalf of the applicant, told the committee that it was 'not possible' to provide 40 per cent affordable housing. He noted that both the Local Plan and government guidance support the council officers' approach, which he said had been 'very rigorous and robust'.

How it is being reported

• Developer succeeds in getting number of affordable homes at major development in Brook Lane, Warsash, reduced by more than 50The development should have 72 affordable homes - but the developer said the scheme was not viable and has argued the total down to 20The News, Portsmouth · 12 Oct, 10:05
• More than 50 affordable homes slashed from major developmentMore than 50 affordable homes have been slashed from a long-running housing scheme in WarsashSouthern Daily Echo · 11 Oct, 03:30

In this story: Fareham Borough Council · Warsash · Brook Lane

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