Working on behalf of Strata Homes, DPP were instructed to prepare, submit and manage three reserved matters planning applications for residential developments consisting of Phases 2A, 2B and 3 of a large housing allocation, known as ‘BEV-K’, to the south of Beverley in the East Riding of Yorkshire. The applications sought permission for erection of 296 units in total (or 70, 90 and 136 dwellings respectively) and associated infrastructure (all matters reserved) following the approval of a hybrid application originally approved in 2019.  The 136-dwelling Phase 3 application consisted of a scheme made up of 100% affordable housing units in collaboration with Yorkshire Housing Association. The Phase 2b application is currently being determined and approval is expected to be granted in May.

Achievements

During the course of the approved applications, DPP successfully negotiated with the Council to address a number of issues raised by consultees. DPP oversaw revisions to the layout to modify the housing mix and incorporate a footbridge link from the site to the west of Beverley which enabled officers to support that phase of the scheme. DPP also worked with the applicant to coordinate a viability assessment, setting out the case for no provision of affordable housing on the earlier phases, in light of excessive costs associated with providing the much-needed footbridge and other elements of the hybrid permission’s S106 agreement.

DPP also participated in complex negotiations which successfully addressed site wide viability assessments to ensure a consistent and policy compliant approach across the ‘BEV-K’ allocation. The Council agreed with DPP’s position that it would be an acceptable compromise to provide a 100% affordable housing scheme on the  now approved Phase 3 development given the viability of the footbridge in Phase 2A. In addition to this, DPP ensured that all pre-commencement conditions for both approved applications were converted to be compliance conditions over the course of the application process which allowed the client to make an immediate start on site.