Agenda with Maps and Applications (21Mb) - pdf - Selby District ...

2.25.1 A series of other matters have been raised through the consultation
process, these are summarised and assessed in the following section.
2.25.2 Phasing and Construction time
Objectors have raised concerns relating to the length of the build. The
application includes a Phasing plan for the 100 unit and 498 unit
schemes and states that Phase 1A would be the western section of the
site with Phase 1B being the 100 unit site, then Phases 2, 3 and 4
would be built across from west to east until they met up with the 100
unit scheme. The developers have indicated that it is anticipated to
commence on site May 2013. The proposed build rate would be
anticipated to be approximately 50 dwellings per year per developer
therefore the development should be completed by 2020. The phasing
plan can be conditioned.
2.25.3 Developer Behaviour
Objectors have raised concerns in terms of the potential for the Phase
2 site to be left dormant, as was the case on the Phase 1 site, as a
result of changes in the economic climate and have asked that an 18
month completion date be put on the development.
Officers note that the recent recession led to many sites being dormant
for periods and the housing market and economic conditions both of
which are out of the Council’s or the developers direct control would
dictate the speed in which the development would be built out and it
would be unreasonable and unnecessary to put an 18 month
completion date on the development.
2.25.4 Housing need/Affordable housing
In summary objectors have questioned the need for more housing in
the village in terms of the needs of those who live there now, in the
context of a large number of properties already on the market in the
village and given that there are so many houses under construction
already. However the housing market operates as part of the wider
economy and as such housing requirements are a result of population
changes, economic patterns and market forces. The level of housing
required to be provided, the identification of the allocations within the
2005 Local Plan, the release and extent of units identified as a result of
the release of the Phase 2 sites within the District has been part of
consideration through the Local Plan, the RSS and consideration of a
detailed evidence base. As such the case for the level of development
has been assessed within earlier sections of this Report. Objectors
have raised the need for affordable housing and the fact that
Broadacres (RSL) who have taken on affordable housing within the
District are not based locally, as mentioned in the main body of the
report and through Policy Officers responses there is evidence of a
housing need in the district and for affordable housing provision and
the proposed development would assist in meeting this need on a site
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