Developer to give £166k to Hawarden High School for new science block amid housing development approval

Developers will make a six-figure contribution towards a new science block at Hawarden High School as part of permission to build another 54 homes on a former steelworks site.

Flintshire Council’s planning committee has given full permission for the third phase of the Northern Gateway development on former Corus land on Welsh Road in Garden City.

A total of 100 affordable houses are already earmarked at the Deeside site due to the approval of previous phases, and outline permission had previously been granted for this proposal of which 10 per cent will be affordable homes.

Councillors met to consider the finer details of the plans relating to access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of the homes.

The council’s chief planning officer Andrew Farrow said a further 12 pupil primary school places and nine secondary school places would be generated by the development, with £166,000 going towards facilities at Hawarden High School.

Speaking in favour of the development on behalf of the applicant Bellway Homes, Matt Grant said: “Collectively the development will provide a significant contribution towards meeting housing needs in the county.

“This stage of the development will deliver 20 per cent affordable housing in accordance with policy along with the requested secondary education contribution.

“Half of the affordable housing will be provided on-site with a financial contribution towards the remainder. These elements will be secured by a Section 106 agreement.”

Buckley Pentrobin Cllr Mike Peers (Ind) backed the plans but said it was important the council kept an eye on the development and made sure affordable housing was being delivered.

He said: “I think we need to keep track of the Northern Gateway to see where the affordable houses are and where they are planned.

“We need to make sure we deliver those across the site and not put them in one particular area.
“My only concern on this is that the cheaper properties there which I consider to be the two two-bedroom apartments, the two-bed semis and an apartment with one-bedroom, we’ve only got a total of five of those whereas we’ve got 25 detached properties.”

Connah’s Quay Central Cllr Bernie Attridge (Lab) echoed those comments.

He added: “I think it’s imperative we keep an eye on the amount of affordable housing to go on that site, to make sure it goes on that site.”

Mold East Cllr Chris Bithell (Lab) had concerns about whether the financial contribution for more affordable housing was enough and also suggested the affordable homes should be spread throughout the site.

Planning officer Claire Morter said the contribution can be used in different ways to help residents within the wider area to purchase two-bedroom homes for example, that are located nearby elsewhere.

The application was approved when put to the vote.

By Rory Sheehan – Local Democracy Reporter (more here).