•  No affordable homes to be built in a new housing development
•  The decision was taken on ‘viability grounds.’
•  Luke says: “The priority needs to be affordable homes.”

Planning permission has been sought for a new housing development on the ground of the former Broadreach site in Devonport, which would see 60 new posh flats built but not one affordable home.

The decision to not build any affordable homes in the six storey complex was taken on ‘viability grounds.’

There is a real housing crisis in Britain, and we need more genuinely affordable homes for local people. The Government’s record on housing is nine years of abject failure on all fronts: a 90% decrease in real-terms Government funding for new affordable homes; 30,000 fewer social rented homes built each year; a massive increase in private renting with households paying ever-higher rents; and rough sleeping up by 165% since 2010.

Luke Pollard, running for re-election as the MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport said:

“Plymouth needs more housing at every level – from one bedroom apartments to big houses. But the priority needs to be affordable homes for low income people not 100% luxury developments that dont contribute any affordable homes to our city. That is why I was disappointed to see the new development proposed for Richmond Walk include not a single affordable home amongst the 60 luxury flats.

 

I have spoken to the City Council to seek their assurances that they will demand a fair contribution to building affordable homes from this developer. If they don’t come forward with a reasonable offer I will strongly oppose this development.

 

We need real change at this election and the only Party offering that is Labour.”

Labour has bold, transformative plans to reinvigorate the housing sector. Acting on every front to bring the cost of housing down and standards up so that everyone has a decent, affordable place to call home. By the end of the Parliament, Labour will build, at an annual rate of at least 150,000 council and social homes, with 100,000 of these built by councils for social rent in the most significant council housebuilding programme in more than a generation.

To see more of Labour’s housing plans, visit the manifesto here.

https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/posh-flats-plan-rat-infested-3563035