Worries have been expressed that a social housing project for flats in Ebbw Vale might be put at risk over a sum of £18,000.
The application from Rhondda Developments SPV1 Limited to construct residential dwellings on the former County Hotel grounds on Western Terrace in Ebbw Vale was considered by councillors at the county borough council’s Planning Committee on Thursday, March 26.
The County Hotel was torn down after being extensively damaged in a blaze back in 2008.
Rhondda Developments are proposing 20 one-bedroom flats designed for two occupants alongside six two-bedroom units accommodating three residents.
Development management team manager Joanne White outlined that the initiative would be administered by a registered social landlord, contributing meaningfully to the demand for affordable homes and helping to remedy a substantial deficit in the local housing market assessment. A section 106 agreement would be necessary to secure affordable housing delivery and £18,720 towards enhancing the Newtown play area. Her recommendation was to approve planning permission contingent on the section 106 agreement, though she suggested that should the applicant fail to demonstrate meaningful progress or execute the section 106 within six months of the committee date, authority should be delegated to the service manager to reject the application on the grounds that the agreement is required.
Councillor Wayne Hodgins commented that while he supports section 106 agreements on development schemes, he questioned whether the six-month timeframe was wise given current market instability and escalating costs. The council had previously declined to issue section 106 agreements to other residential projects because of financial viability issues, and he wondered whether this deadline represented a prudent approach by officers.
Councillor Hodgins added that the scheme represented excellent development that would enhance the northern corridor, and he would be reluctant to see it collapse over such a relatively modest sum of £18,000. In response, Joanne White confirmed that the applicant had been informed of the section 106 requirement and was prepared to commit to it, having not raised any viability objections and indicating willingness to make those contributions.
Planning development team manager Steph Hopkins explained that the six-month period is essential to complete the drafting of the section 106 and ensure its legal robustness. She emphasised that the decision notice would not be released until after the section 106 had been finalised. Furthermore, she clarified that should the company wish to dispute the section 106 at a later stage on viability grounds, they would need to submit a fresh planning application to modify the permission, which would necessitate bringing the scheme back before the committee for another determination.
Councillor Hodgins confirmed his acceptance of granting provisional planning permission subject to the section 106 agreement. Councillor Peter Baldwin, representing Nantyglo for Labour, stated that the project was excellent and that considerably more one-bedroom dwellings were required in the area. Councillor David Wilkshire, the Labour member for Rassau and Garnlydan, observed that the development was long overdue and would significantly enhance this section of Ebbw Vale, noting that the site had been left in a poor condition following the fire and subsequent demolition of the hotel.
Councillors subsequently proceeded to a vote and gave unanimous backing to the application.