Developers try to change homes deal

PLANNERS will tonight decide on whether to amend affordable housing requirements for a major redevelopment scheme in Saddleworth.

Permission was originally granted for the Tesco food store, marina, canal basin and pub at the village spot alongside the Huddersfield Canal in Greenfield. Developers Wiggett Construction Ltd also got the go-ahead to build 99 homes at the site on Wellington Road.

As part of the deal, signed in 2005, the developers were to pay more than £736,000 to the council following the start of the first phase of 57 homes. The money was to be invested in affordable homes across the borough.

The company is now asking the planning committee to consider waiving the contribution in light of the housing market slump. It argues the removal would make the scheme economically viable and help the project – of which just 16 homes have been built so far — to continue.

Managing director Phil Wiggett said: “The scheme isn’t changing. Property prices have come down a lot and this application is about the viability of the scheme.”

The company suggests that rather than scrap the contribution, a deal can be struck to finish the scheme and base a payment on its ultimate profitability — anything over a 15 per cent profit margin.

A contribution of over £418,192 for the second phase of 42 homes will remain.


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