Row over social housing funding

Alison Graham has criticised the decision to allow Aragon Housing Association to build 13 houses in Shillington but not pay accompanying Section 106 money, which developers are often asked to contribute towards providing for the impactof their developments, such as on schools and roads.

But at a development management committee meeting last week councillors agreed to waive the Section 106 money for the social housing development in Scyttels Court, which will replace the current 22 Aragon flats.

Parish councillor Alison said: “This is a dangerous precedent. Families will be moving into these houses from outside the area and it will place added pressure on our roads, schools and doctor’s surgeries, to say the least.”

Councillor Ken Matthews from Central Beds Council said the applicant had demonstrated the the development would not be viable if section 106 money was required – largely due to demolition costs.

He said: “The council is duty bound to take account of economic viability when considering applications. Every application must also be decided on its own merits. ”

Aileen Evans, Aragon Housing Association managing director, said: “Aragon is not a private developer profiting from these proposals. We are providing 100 per cent affordable housing which is a priority for Central Beds Council. 

“One of the purposes of Section 106 contributions is to provide affordable housing therefore it would be perverse to make such payments in this case.”

She added that there was limited demand for the current sheltered housing and a desperate need for family homes.