Paignton affordable homes rule to be relaxed

It won't be profitable otherwise

Allowing a developer put fewer affordable homes on a controversial Paignton greenfield site will allow Torbay Council to build more badly-needed homes elsewhere.

“It’s all about trying to get a reasonable receipt for the family silver,” said Cllr Nick Bye (Con, Wellswood).

The bay’s cabinet voted unanimously to allow future development at Preston Down Road to include the mandatory 30 per cent of affordable housing rather than the 50 per cent set by the council last year.

The council had wanted more cheaper homes for local families than the national guidelines lay down, but they heard that insisting on the higher level would mean the project would become unfeasible for developers, leading to the land not being developed at all.

Cllr Alan Tyerman (Con, Churston with Galmpton) said 30 per cent would represent better value for the council in the long run, and the higher the sale price of the greenfield site to a developer, the more money the council would have to spend on providing affordable homes in Paignton and the rest of Torbay.

However, acting Liberal Democrat group leader Swithin Long (Barton with Watcombe) said the decision sent the wrong message, that the council was rolling back on affordable housing.

“We will never solve the housing crisis by sticking to 30 per cent on our planning applications,” he said.”

But Cllr Bye said the council was sending out a clear message.

“This council wants to get building,” he said. “We are not going to solve the social and economic problems of Torbay without increasing our recent pitiful delivery of housing of all kinds.

“We might be waiting for ever for the perfect scheme, and delivering nothing. Let’s get building, and send out the message that Torbay is building homes for its residents.”