Affordable Housing Scheme, Luton Borough Council
We secured full planning permission for 65 affordable housing units comprising 26 houses and 39 flats, on behalf of Hightown Housing, a charitable housing association who own and manage more than 7,000 homes.
Hightown Housing and Aitchison Raffety worked collaboratively with Luton Borough Council to bring life back to a disused, sustainable brownfield site through the provision of high-quality affordable homes.
We recognised that the viability of development and the subsequent reduced provision of affordable housing was a significant issue across Luton Borough, with many development schemes becoming unviable if they were to provide on-site affordable housing. This resulted in a low delivery of on-site affordable housing and an increased demand for affordable homes.
The Hightown development proposed a mix of different sizes of accommodation, including 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom properties, providing 100% affordable housing including shared ownership dwellings and affordable rented accommodation. The development made a significant contribution to the identified housing need.
Following an officer recommendation for approval, the planning committee agreed that the proposed scheme was of a superior design. It would offer a good living environment for future occupiers and cause no harm to the living conditions of those nearby. The significant social benefits attached to the proposed development were acknowledged.
Luton Borough Council granted conditional planning permission. This case represents another example of our work in attaining permission for the redevelopment of a sustainable brownfield site, to the benefit of the local community, and the affordable housing provider.
For further information on this project or any planning and development inquiries, please do get in touch with our team via: planning@argroup.co.uk or call us on 01604 880 163.