Deputy prime minister john Prescott is to adjudicate on a planning dispute set to test his commitment to delivering more social housing through the planning system.
The row started when Tonbridge & Malling district council went beyond the restrictions of its local plan to approve three developments, totalling 2500 homes, in Kent. The council claimed the schemes, which will include 700 affordable homes, are needed to tackle the area's shortage of affordable housing.

Prescott called in the proposals because the council's local plan provides for only 200 affordable homes across the three sites. He will decide whether the council can require the 700 affordable homes to be built.

Robin Tetlow, managing director of planning consultant Tetlow King, which is advising the council on the inquiry, said: "This is the first time a council has put it head on the block in this way and said: 'Everything else being equal, we wouldn't have given it permission – but we want to because it tackles our affordable homes problem.'"

The inquiry begins on 7 October.

Steve Humphry, director of planning and engineering for Tonbridge and Malling, said: "This is a growth area and frankly we're a bit annoyed we're going to have to spend the money on a public inquiry."

Source

Housing Today