Lack of Lawn funds sees flats rejected

The outline application for up to 24 one and two-bedroom flats at the junction of Outram Street and Park Street was turned down at a meeting of Ashfield District Council’s planning committee.

Councillors were told the development was “unsustainable”, because agreement had not been reached between the developer and the council about measures the developer must take to reduce the impact on the community.

A council spokesman said: “The application was refused due to the land owner refusing to enter into agreement with the authority.

“In the absence of this agreement, the development is considered to be unsustainable, and fail to contribute toward local facilities, infrastructure and services considered necessary to mitigate against the impacts of the proposed development.

“Without the satisfactory completion of the proposed agreement –known as a Section 106 agreement – it fails to meet the legal affordable housing provision, secure off-site open space and public realm improvements and to provide an education contribution for primary school places in the locality.”

Chardstock Management Services, the applicant behind the development, said the site value had been eroded by 88 per cent since 2005 and the site viability eroded by 70 per cent and the financial burden of the S106 obligations further made the site unviable.

The council had previously approved the scheme, on condition a Section 106 agreement was reached, which included 10 per cent affordable housing, £24,000 for Sutton Lawn improvements and £57,275 for five primary school places.