Homes policy under fire (From Gazette Series)

Homes policy under fire

A POLICY that restricts the extension of small homes in the district has come under fire from a Cam man wanting to extend his property.

The owner - from Beyon Close - has lodged an appeal against the refusal of planning permission to extend his home as he claims the planning authority's reason for refusal is discriminatory.

Stroud District Council said no to the extensions as it claims the proposal is contrary to planning policy - which seeks to retain affordable housing.

But the appellant states in his grounds for appeal "affordable is impossible to define".

The appeal grounds continue: "Stroud is the only Gloucestershire authority operating such a discriminatory policy. Objections to the policy from the Government Office for the South-West and the county council - both call for policy to be deleted."

Council planning strategy manager Pete Gilbert defended the policy stating it has been instigated to protect public interest and the wider need of affordable housing in the district.

"The policy is outlined in the draft local plan and aims to address a specific need - of more affordable housing," said Mr Gilbert. "It seeks to ensure that small properties stay small and affordable."

The policy mainly applies to one and two bedroom properties.

Mr Gilbert added: "Once extended, the value of these size properties increase so they are taken out of the range of affordability and this policy aims to account for that."

Mr Gilbert added that a significant lack of affordable housing has already been identified in the district.

"A lot of people can't afford to buy property and we needed to put a mechanism in place to try to counter this problem."

Mr Gilbert said the council realised the policy would be controversial.

"We did think it was worth giving it a run. The council is forward looking and innovative and wants to address the need for affordable housing."

The council is currently awaiting the inspectors report on the local plan inquiry and the authority could be advised to delete the its planning policy relating to affordable housing.

"If the policy is deleted we would expect the resubmission of applications that have been refused on the grounds of the policy," added Mr Gilbert.