Barnsley builders to 'give away' affordable housing
Builders - 19/09/2006 17:01:16
Radical council plans could mean that Barnsley builders have to give some of the properties they construct to affordable housing schemes, reports indicate.
According to the Yorkshire Post, the plans are part of a scheme put forward by the council to help counter the rising cost of accommodation.
It claims that it wants to introduce the measures, which are open to all councils under current planning laws, as it believes many residents in the Barnsley area are struggling to get on the housing market.
Any development with more than 25 properties or covering an area larger than 0.6 hectares would be affected and would most certainly sees builders' profits affected.
However, the council has claimed that the measures are necessary to help people find homes and settle in Barnsley.
Speaking to the Yorkshire Post, council spokesman Rob Hignet said: "People expect to get on the housing ladder younger and there are many smaller households, through divorce or people staying single longer.
"This is about meeting that shortfall. I don't think ten years ago anyone would have envisaged the way the housing market has shifted."
Reports indicate that people with historical routes in the area will benefit the most from the scheme as they will be offered the houses.
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