Why it matters: The decision involves plans to convert the former Gym & Trim Health Club building on Lower Orwell Street – currently derelict – into 16 new flats, but would see the developer pay just £2,334 instead of the originally required £250,000 contribution towards public services such as education, libraries and open spaces.
The big picture: Councillors unanimously backed the proposal in June, including 15 conditions and the substantial community contribution. However, Aspen Build's financial viability assessment concluded the applicant would profit around 10 per cent of the development's total value, well below the Government's suitability guidance of between 15 and 20 per cent.
The details: An independent consultant hired to review the assessment found the financial picture could be even worse than suggested by the applicant. Planners have now recommended the scheme be approved again, waiving the £250,000 contribution and requiring only £2,334 to compensate for impact on a special protection area.
This would bring the profit margin to around 16 per cent.
For context: The site has been vacant for several years and received planning permission for student accommodation in 2008, though those plans were never completed. In June, councillors welcomed the proposals and said they would be a "massive improvement" on what had become a "blot in the neighbourhood".
The bottom line: Councillors will decide on Wednesday, 17 September, whether to approve the housing scheme with the reduced contribution, potentially cutting community funding from £250,000 to £2,334.
