Boost for low-cost house hunters

The controversial proposals to build the 300-home scheme at Filey have been given approved despite planning officers voicing concerns about the project.

More than a third of the properties which are due to be built will be affordable housing, including 60 homes for social rent and 60 for shared ownership. The remaining 180 homes will be sold on the open market.

The National Housing Federation has warned of a growing crisis in affordable housing, with the average property price in the Scarborough district now more than £159,000, with average wages just £16,500.

Developers from Coast and Country have claimed that the £45m scheme earmarked for a 40-acre site near Muston Road will help address the lack of affordable homes.

Coast and Country’s chief executive, Iain Sim, said: “The report to the planning committee illustrates how badly the Muston Road development is needed to meet the lack of affordable homes available in the area.”

However, the scheme had attracted controversy after Scarborough Borough Council’s planning officers expressed reservations.

The Yorkshire Post revealed last week that the officers admitted they still had concerns over drainage at the site, and a feasibility study into the issue will not be completed until March.

However, councillors approved the proposals at a planning meeting on Thursday last week as it presented the last opportunity to push through the plans in order to meet strict target dates.

A report to councillors stressed that if full planning permission was not obtained by March, £2.5m funding from the Homes and Communities Agency would disappear for good.

Work is expected to start on site in March.

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