Developer Seeks to Drop £3m Infrastructure Payment for Barton Homes

A developer wants to change a housing plan. They are building over 300 homes in Barton-upon-Humber. They want to remove some requirements. These requirements involve money for local things and also include building affordable housing.

The developer, Keigar Homes, got permission in 2022 for 317 homes near Canberra View as part of the Falkland Way project. They agreed to pay almost £3 million for local improvements and to build fifty affordable homes.

Keigar Homes now wants to drop these conditions, though they have already paid some recreation fees and donated land for a cemetery. They say the project isn’t profitable otherwise, and an expert report supports their request to remove most of the original agreement.

A report analyzed Keigar Homes’ finances and found problems with the original plan. Keeping the rules would cause a £2 million loss, while removing them would create a £3.2 million profit. The report notes that earlier phases did pay fees and included affordable homes, paying almost £2 million in fees.

The report also points out a difference, stating the new phases have higher expectations, which call for more contributions and housing, despite building the same number of homes. The assessment concludes the project isn’t feasible if they keep the original agreement. Removing affordable homes and fees is key.

A children’s home can move forward despite the council’s initial denial. An inspector allowed it near East and West Butterwick. It will have six rooms with bathrooms for short stays for young people, located in what is now a guest house.

The council was worried about flooding and cited their overall development strategy. The inspector didn’t fully disagree but noted the existing use reduced the flood concern and that bedrooms cannot be on the ground floor now.

Hibaldstow Village Hall can be extended. They got permission to add to the building again, and the extension includes new rooms and facilities. Mark Simmonds Planning Services helped the village, stating the extension is “very much needed” and will improve services at the hall, despite council permission lapsing previously.

Sports England initially objected to the plan as they were worried about moving the cricket pitch. Amended plans addressed the field and trees.

A former pub site will become homes. Approval is granted for the Scawby Brook site. Previous approval expired for the project. The King William IV pub will be redeveloped with three new homes. A small part of the old pub will be demolished.