News

"Much-needed" affordable housing coming to Crowthorne

By Becky Barnes
February 26, 2013

A housing association has been given the go-ahead to build ‘much-needed’ affordable homes in Crowthorne.

Bracknell Forest Homes can now demolish the former 1960s’ sheltered housing block Rothwell House, in Wellington Road, and replace it with family homes.

The plans were given unanimous approval by Bracknell Forest Council’s planning committee last Thursday.

But the company’s designs must be amended to give neighbouring properties greater privacy.

Councillor David Worrall put forward the amendment following objections from neighbours, including one homeowner who felt the proximity of one of the housing blocks would be ‘overbearing’ on their home.

Cllr Worrall said: “I think the tidying up of the site I agree with, but I am concerned about the front block one to four and its relationship to the house. It is quite a large chunk.

“I suggest a hip roof on both ends of the block.

“If the applicant says no it will come back to the committee.”

Protest against Crowthorne affordable housing plan

Bracknell Forest Homes applied to demolish Rothwell House because it ‘no longer met modern standards or the aspirations of their residents’.

The company submitted plans to retain six existing bungalows and to build four three-bedroom houses for low-cost ownership and five two-bedroom houses for rent.

Planning officer Paul Corbett told councillors that the development, which would include the widening of the existing footpath would be ‘a huge enhancement with access significantly improved to benefit pedestrians’.

Cllr Colin Dudley, committee chairman, said: “This is an application which improves the area no end.

“This actually tidies that area quite nicely and is a vast improvement to what is there already.”

After the meeting Chris Withnall, Bracknell Forest Homes assets and business development director, said: “We are pleased planning approval has been granted, subject to a minor amendment to the design of one roof, which means our development of much-needed affordable family homes can progress.

“We will continue to work with the local authority and residents as development starts and we anticipate work on site beginning in May with a target completion of spring 2014.”

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Most recent user comments 14 of 14

Affordable housing takes many forms.

The least generous is renting it for about 80% of the market rate.

Then there is full council rend that seems to be about half.

There is also part own typically 50% where the tennant gets half the mortgage and rents the other half at a very generous rate (eg 1%). This is my preferred option to help young people onto the housing ladder. But the finances are done all wrong.

Land owners on large are allowed to profit too much from getting planning permission. the permission itself is worth at least £100k for the average dwelling. Let alone construction costs.

Property prices can not fall far or the banks will fail. Meanwhile two people on £25k with no family wealth will never start their own family without just getting on with it and going begging.

Partner developers of large projects in the borough are expected to develop 35% affordable housing. these are not given. They are sold typically for about 60% of the market value to the housing association. 60% means the developer is still making a profit on the build.

The other problem is that as a result all the affordable housing is in one place.

I would like to see the entire planning permission value realized as community gain. 40% of every sale going to the council to fund infrastructure and affordable housing. No more negotiating.

The affordable housing part taking the form of purchasing houses around the borough or part purchasing homes from people who are struggling after having a baby and needing to loose a salary of find £800 / month for 5-10 years.

The southern SDL affordable housing was negotiated down to 27% on side and 8% off site whatever that means and infrastructure on a need basis rather than a set fee in relation to the value of the planning permission.

Kaz4Wokingham, Wokingham
26/02/2013 at 22:58

If they're going to continue working with the local authority there won't be a completion in 2014. Regeneration anyone?

Winstanley, Bracknell
26/02/2013 at 17:10

What is it with these peoples desire to live in an enclave of old folk where the cry of a young child playing is so undesirable. I can understand in part the resentment of some where their children have banished them to these institutions to await death. What I can't understand is in Crowthorne it appears to be a majority.

timespassing
26/02/2013 at 15:14

By the way - no-one's commenting on the loss of ANOTHER sheltered block (others are being lost in Wokingham too, for the new station road at least). These are places where our communities' elderly live and are looked after.

Damiano_Tommassi, Wokingham
26/02/2013 at 13:32

they won't be affordable houses, they'll be houses built in Crowthorne - so they'll have similar prices to other homes in Crowthorne, Wokingham, Ascot etc. The suggestion that building around ten homes is going to change the prices in the surrounding market is laughable.

Damiano_Tommassi, Wokingham
26/02/2013 at 13:30

The protests against the siting of affordable housing purely based on the fact some wealthy people didn't want the hoi-polloi living near them has been little short of sickening.

THey should be ashamed of themselves.

HatsOfDoom
26/02/2013 at 13:29

A very good point graywok! Sad world we live in eh...

Bruce Wayne
26/02/2013 at 13:05

Why aren't all houses built as 'affordable' ?

graywok, Woosehill
26/02/2013 at 12:59

At least there's one good one there Win. ;-)

HK, bracknell
26/02/2013 at 11:04

South Ascot: where Cheryl Cole lives

Bruce Wayne
26/02/2013 at 11:04

Crowthorne: where I live because I can't afford South Ascot.

Winstanley, Bracknell
26/02/2013 at 10:54

With attitudes like theirs, who on earth would want to live near them?

HK, bracknell
26/02/2013 at 10:36

Crowthorne: where people aren't actually rich but pretend to be.

Bruce Wayne
26/02/2013 at 10:34

NOT IN MY BACK YARD.This is unfathomable!! The good people of Crowthorne can afford all the houses they need. If one cannot afford to live within our excellent community, then one should leave. OIKS!