Flats plan paused due to lack of affordable rentals

A decision on whether 164 flats can be built at a former factory site has been delayed by councillors after the developer said no affordable rentals could be included.

Plans for the 18-storey scheme at Sayner Lane in Hunslet were deferred by Leeds City Council's planning panel.

The group was told discount homes worth £5.7m could be provided under local planning policy, but developer Countrylarge Ltd said it was not financially viable.

The hearing was also told a contribution to green spaces would also be reduced, from almost £207,000 to £31,800.

David Blackburn, Green Party member for Farnley and Wortley, said the city was facing a shortage of affordable homes.

He said: "We have got a crisis in certain sectors of the housing market and this does nothing to address that."

The meeting was told the project would be subject to a "late-stage review", with an affordable housing contribution required if there was an excess profit.

The district valuation service confirmed the scheme could only be delivered with no affordable homes, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Concerns were also raised the development could cause traffic problems because just three parking spaces were included.

Dan Cohen, Conservative member for Alwoodley, told the meeting: "I think this is hugely problematic. For me, three is just too few."

The plans would see 67 one-bed, 80 two-bedroom and 17-three bedroom apartments built at the site, a former glass factory.

Councillors unanimously voted to defer the planning application at the meeting at Leeds Civic Hall.

The developer is to be asked to revisit the green space contribution and consider design changes to allow for affordable housing.

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