Wandsworth Council's Planning Applications Committee convened on Monday to discuss a variety of development proposals, including a controversial application to vary a Section 106 agreement concerning a development at 157 Fallsbrook Road. The original planning permission 2020/0473 was for the Demolition of existing building and construction of a part-three part-four storey building comprising 29 residential units with associated amenity, refuse and cycle provision and landscaping
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The committee ultimately approved the Section 106 Deed of Variation, despite concerns raised about the loss of affordable housing.
The original Section 106 agreement, tied to planning permission 2022/3978, stipulated the provision of six affordable housing units as intermediate shared ownership, along with a payment of £27,486. However, the applicant argued they were unable to find a housing association to take on the shared ownership units and sought to replace the on-site provision with a commuted sum.
Nigel Grainger, the East Area Team Manager, explained that the applicant initially proposed a payment of £552,000, but through negotiations with council officers, this was increased to £950,000. He stated that this figure was agreed upon by three groups of surveyors, including external viability consultants and in-house surveyors, representing the maximum reasonable value in monetary terms
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Councillor Colclough expressed reservations about the arrangement, stating, I don't see how losing six affordable units is only worth £950,000 if they were actually building a unit. Each of those units would probably be worth at least £350,000 to £400,000 each.
She further voiced her concern about encouraging this type of arrangement.
Councillor Ruth Wright sought clarification on whether the council had considered taking on the six homes and offering them as social rent homes. Mr. Grainger clarified that this option was explored, but the units were pepper-potted throughout the development, making them financially unviable for the council to manage.
The Planning Applications Committee ultimately approved the Section 106 Deed of Variation, allowing the developer to proceed with the £950,000 payment in lieu of on-site affordable housing.
It is important to note that the Head of Service is authorized to refuse permission if the legal agreement is not completed within three months of the date of the Planning Applications Committee resolution.
In addition to the Fallsbrook Road application, the Planning Applications Committee reviewed applications for:
- Land at Whitnell Way Ashburton Chartfield Estate SW15 6DG - Approved with conditions subject to legal agreement and CIL.
- 45 Lyford Road SW18 3LU - Approved with conditions, CIL liable.
- 193-197 Upper Tooting Road SW17 7TG - Approved with conditions, CIL liable.
- Garages west of 79 Mayford Road SW12 8SH - Refused on ground of loss of outlook to 60-62 and 52 Calbourne Road resulting in an unacceptable sense of enclosure to the loss of their amenity.
- 18 Hollies Way Temperley Road SW12 8QG - Approved with conditions.
- 10 Alderbrook Road SW12 8AG - Approved with conditions, CIL liable.
