Affordable housing can go ahead, says inspector

A decision to reject plans for 20 affordable homes on the edge of a village has been overturned by the government's Planning Inspectorate.

In September, West Northamptonshire Council went against its officers' advice when it rejected an application for the homes at a paddock near Potterspury, which is near Milton Keynes.

The housing association, Amplius Living, said the homes would be marketed under shared ownership and that social rent schemes were much-needed.

The decision was issued on Monday and the council has been approached for comment.

The Planning Inspectorate said the build should go ahead because there was evidence that 64 households on the housing register would consider this location.

A mixture of one-bed flats, and one, three and four-bed houses, will be built.

"The proposed affordable dwellings would reflect the scale and appearance of others nearby," the inspector said.

Potterspury has about 700 homes, along with a primary school, preschool, nursery, church, shop and post office, village hall, pub, restaurant, sports and social club.

"The increased population resulting from the development would assist in the viability and retention of existing services," the Planning Inspectorate added.

The council had failed to produce evidence to "substantiate its reasons for refusal and therefore unreasonable behaviour has occurred", the inspector continued.

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