After lifting his direction to refuse planning permission for the Larden Road site
Mayor of London Ken Livingstone this week lifted his direction to refuse planning permission for the redevelopment of the Prestolite Factory after the developer, Genesis Housing Group, agreed to increase the level of low-rent housing association homes planned for the site.
The Mayor originally directed Hammersmith and Fulham Council to refuse planning permission after the number of low rent homes in the development was reduced from the original scheme proposed by Genesis but indicated that he would be minded to lift his direction if the proportion of low-rent social housing was increased.
As a result Genesis Housing Group offered to provide an additional twelve 3-bedroom social rented homes meaning that 35% of the total bed spaces in the scheme will now be for social renting in line with the target set by the Mayor in his London Plan.
LBH&F planning committee approved these new plans earlier this month deeming them to adequately meet the mayor’s desire to have more low rent affordable homes whilst allowing more local people to get on the housing ladder. The mayor in turn withdrew his decision to direct refusal.
The Mayor said 'I am very pleased that as a result of my direction we will now see more low rent homes on this key site and the target in my London Plan met.
"This shows that we can get more affordable housing in London if the will exists. Two thirds of Londoners who need a new home are only able to afford social rented housing, and it is vital that boroughs do everything they can to meet the targets for this type of housing.
"It is good news that Genesis Housing Group and Hammersmith and Fulham Council have had second thoughts and we can now look forward to a much better scheme.”
February 28, 2007
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