Affordable homes in Driffield estate plans cut amid "exceptionally high" inflation

Plans from Barratt Homes for the estate, which also includes a sports pitch and play area, are set to go before East Riding Council’s Planning Committee on Thursday, June 22.

The application stated the estate would be within easy walking distance of Driffield town centre and public transport links while the homes would be in keeping with existing ones.

A council report on the application stated the developer has since said has had to cut back on the amount of affordable homes in the plans, with 11 now proposed.

Thursday’s decision is set to come after the plans previously went before councillors in October last year.

Councillors put it on hold for talks between the application and planning officers on a Section 106 agreement dealing with developer funding contributions.

The roughly 5 per cent proportion of affordable homes is down from the 15 per cent originally proposed.

The council’s report stated the developer would try to increase the amount back to 15 per cent by selling some to a registered housing provider.

It added 6.3 per cent inflation in construction had increased costs for the developer by £1.2m in the year since May 2022.

The report stated: “Price inflation is currently exceptionally high throughout the economy and it is accepted that this has significantly affected the cost of new development.

“The local housing market has cooled significantly due mainly to rising interest rates.

“Whilst there is no clear evidence that new house prices area falling, it is considered that they have stagnated and sales have slowed and become more difficult.”

Meanwhile, five objections were previously lodged over the use of Long Lane for access and over claims it could lead to the loss of a public bridleway.

Objectors claimed it would see a narrow street become a busy road if plans get the go ahead.

Councillors heard in previous committee meetings that Long Lane was used as an emergency landing strip for RAF Driffield during the Second World War.

Plans stated there was potential for access from Northfield Avenue, Cemetery Lane and the A614 and more could be opened up to disperse traffic in future.

They also proposed a new roundabout off the A614 to serve the wider area where large-scale housing developments are currently being built.

Plans stated: “The site is not constrained in any way and there are no material considerations that would prevent the development coming forward.”