Developer bids to scrap community cash contribution

A councillor has branded a housing developer's attempt to scrap a six-figure cash injection into a local community an "absolute disgrace".

Summerhouse Development Ltd has applied to North Yorkshire Council to modify what is known as a Section 106 agreement linked to its 67-home development in Catterick Garrison.

The agreement kicked in when the scheme was given planning permission in 2020, and compelled Summerhouse to pay towards recreational facilities, education and affordable housing in the area.

But after the company applied to the council to have it altered on the grounds the development had become "financially unviable", local Green Party councillor Kevin Foster criticised the move.

Foster, who represents Hipswell and Colburn, said: "This is another example of people trying to get away from Section 106 agreements, which are vastly needed when we need more infrastructure and play areas in the areas where they're building houses.

"It's an absolute disgrace and it's got to stop."

A cost analysis report has been submitted in support of the application, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

When the 67-home scheme, off Hipswell Road, was considered, it proposed 52 market homes and 15 affordable properties.

The developer has now asked to make fewer of the properties meet affordable terms.

The Section 106 agreement also included a £220,935 contribution towards education, with the local authority saying then that the money was needed to meet the extra demand for places at Hipswell Church of England Primary School generated by the development.

A further £22,000 was earmarked to improve play and recreation facilities in the area.

The revision to the application is due to be decided in due course.

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