We are writing to you on behalf of the site promoter Bellway Homes Ltd (Kent) in support of the emerging designated housing site 'Part of Allotment Gardens, Manston Road' in response to the Council's consultation on the Main Modifications to the Thanet District Council Draft Local Plan to 2031. We have reviewed the Main Modifications and offer the following comments on behalf of the site promoter. Additionally, in support of the Proposed Main Modification MM/044 we are fully supportive of the p

Whilst we recognise the importance of affordable housing delivery, as set out in our Matter 9 Hearing Statement the Plan viability work is underpinned by testing of 30% affordable housing delivery. We therefore welcome the modification to Policy SP20 removing reference to "at least" 30% affordable housing being delivered. As modified the Policy supports the justified target of 30% affordable housing, which is only to be reduced where demonstrated to be unviable. We consider Policy SP20 as amend

This Modification relates to Policy SP20 – affordable housing and in part, has resulted in the removal of explicit affordable housing tenure splits that would have been expected to be provided on site. In its place the MM states affordable housing should be provided in the proportions set out in the Strategic Housing Market Assessment (or successive documents). Whilst the added flexibility is welcomed, Gladman considers the policy should go one step further to state, unless other justified affor

It should be considered that the planning application has a viability statement for planning officers and councillors to guide if a site is viable or not at that time. There have been instances where viability issues arose after a planning application was granted and affordable housing was lost. Affordable housing should be a priority in the plan.

Other Main Modifications are supported, specifically MM27(the stepped trajectory), MM42 (policy SP19 - the mix of dwellings), and MM44 (policy SP20 – affordable housing).