Isle of Wight Labour councillor, Geoff Lumley shares this latest news. Ed
A proposal for a land sale before the Council Executive this week is being challenged by Labour’s Cllr Geoff Lumley as a failure to deliver real ‘best consideration’.
The Council have been offered £1.6m by Spectrum HA for land at Taylor Road, Newport. Spectrum want to build 30 affordable homes and 19 so-called ‘starter homes’ – homes that will be sold for an average of £175k (after a £20k government subsidy) – well out of the reach of most young Island families.
Opposition to starter homes
Cllr Lumley who steered a motion through Full Council last January that opposed ‘starter homes’ has called on the Council to instead deliver 49 affordable homes on the site.
This has resulted in Spectrum reducing their offer by £800k.
Affordable housing now
The report before Executive recommends acceptance of the upper offer, despite it being against Full Council policy.
The report claims the extra £800k could be used to fund more affordable housing in the future, but Cllr Lumley says, “why not now?”
“Surely in return for acceptance of the lower offer we would get 19 extra affordable homes at just £42k each NOW.
“That seems very much like best consideration to me and it would help 19 Island families get a secure home. The vast majority of young Island families cannot afford mortgages on £175k properties, particularly in the light of our low-wage, casualised economy.
“I have tried to pursue this with Executive members ahead of their meeting, but have got nowhere.
“I call on the Executive to stand up to Spectrum and stop being pushed around. Provide affordable housing, not even more housing that most locals cannot afford.”
Image: TaxRebate.org.uk under CC BY 2.0
