Bid to build flats in Berrylands deferred (From Kingston Guardian)

Bid to build flats in Berrylands deferred

11:44am Tuesday 29th May 2012 in News

Bid to build flat in Berrylands deferred

A bid to demolish garages and build flats has been deferred once again amid calls for more affordable homes.

Gillenden Development will meet with Surbiton councillors to discuss concerns over a 16 flat development on South Terrace, Surbiton.

The developers claimed they can only provide one affordable home as they are being hit with about £160,000 in planning costs from Kingston Council and the mayor of London.

But at a neighbourhood meeting last week, councillors raised objections claiming that at least 30 per cent of the development should be given over to affordable housing.

Speaking after the meeting Surbiton councillor Yogan Yoganathan said: “There a lot of young people not able to get on the property ladder and people who are homeless.

"That is our concern and that is why we need cheaper housing for people."

Tom Hickman, director at Gillenden Development said: "We have worked with the council to make sure our proposal was copper bottomed.

"All the plans have been independently assessed by BNP Paribas and looked at thoroughly by council officers."

The meeting has now been rescheduled for June 20 to give residents the chance to lodge formal raise objections.

Initial plans, including three affordable homes, were rejected in January this year amid concerns over the design and scale of the proposed building.