6:00pm Wednesday 10th March 2010
PLANS for town homes on the site of the old Droitwich medals office have been delayed by the recession.
Developer Kingerlee Homes had originally got outline permission for 47 homes on the site off the Worcester Road in Droitwich in 2006.
But the “general economic climate” had so far put paid to its plans to start building homes and offices on the site, according to David Coates, the firm’s planning director.
He told councillors at Wychavon District Council’s planning and development control committee Kingerlee could not “bring the project forward on a viable basis”.
He said: “A detailed application for the residential half of the scheme was well-received and described as a project which could become a benchmark scheme. But we are no different to other developers and house builders who have needed to extend the shelf life of premises.”
He said the extension would allow the district council’s planning officers and the developer to thrash out the terms of a section 106 agreement.
Under the terms of these agreements, developers agree to provide affordable homes, often social rentals, while contributing a set amount of funding for each new home for open spaces and local schools.
Mr Coates said: “There’s a level of contributions the council is seeking which together with an affordable housing quota will have an impact on the [commercial] viability of the project.
“Nevertheless, these discussions could lead to agreement and delivering this development.”
Councillor Pam Davey, member for Droitwich East, said: “We’d be seen as inconsistent putting something back which we had previously agreed to.
“We do residents no favours reopening this, I move we agree.”
Coun Tony Miller, Conservative for Lovett and North Claines, said: “This is a sad-looking site at the moment. I second approval.”
Councillors unanimously approved the extension.
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