Concerns have been raised that millions of pounds of public investment in brownfield regeneration is failing to deliver genuinely affordable homes for local people.
Julie Edge told Tynwald that the Island Infrastructure Scheme had supported approximately £80 million of private sector investment linked to developments expected to deliver 206 dwellings.
However, she said: “The report is providing no clear indication of how many of those homes are genuinely affordable for our local people.”
She added: “Many islanders cannot access the housing market and I find it alarming that such significant levels of public support, incentives, and planning flexibility can be associated with developments without stronger guarantees on affordability outcomes.”
Commuted Sums
Ms Edge also criticised the use of commuted sums, saying: “Commuted sums are not a home. They’re a value of money that transfers. They don’t deliver a home.
“They’re not going to house young families, key workers, or local residents struggling to remain within their communities.”
Rob Callister pointed to a specific planning policy he believes is blocking progress.
He said: “Housing policy five currently states in granting planning permission on land zoned for residential development, the department will normally require 25% of provision should be affordable housing.
“Applying this policy equally to both greenfield and brownfield sites is, in my opinion, one of the main reasons we continue to see far too many brownfield sites left vacant and empty.”
Cabinet Office Minister David Ashford defended the government’s ambition, stating: “This administration became the first in Manx history to set an actual affordable housing target over the next 10 years.
“If we are to meet that target, then I fully believe that brownfield sites will need to have an important role.”¿