DEVELOPERS granted permission to build 60 new homes in a Dorset village have applied to the council to remove the obligation to make “up to 50 per cent” of them affordable.

Pennyfarthing Homes were granted permission to build the homes in Alderholt with the requirement of providing affordable housing.

However, citing the cost of delivering and maintaining a suitable alternative natural green space (SANG), developers have applied for permission to provide no affordable homes.

A statement from developers said building costs increased by an average of 8.5 per cent since the plans were accepted, new building regulations added a further £229,000 and SANG maintenance had been increased to £1.05million.

However, Dorset councillor for Alderholt, David Tooke, said nothing has changed and there should still be affordable houses.

He said: “Local people and young people in the area can’t afford housing. Affordable housing is in short supply across the whole of Dorset.

“The need for affordable housing is quite high, especially for local people or those with links to the area so they don’t have to move away from friends and family.

“I was quite shocked (they applied to remove it), but it’s not something that is unusual.

“There has been no change in the site. It has always needed a SANG, I can’t see why three to four years down the line they can no longer afford the SANG.

“Given that nothing’s changed there’s no reason why they shouldn’t fulfil their obligation and provide the affordable housing that was promised.”

The application has also received a number of comments from residents.

One man said: “Pennyfarthing must have surveyed the site and seen the problems before they applied for outline planning permission.

“One of the fundamental reasons that planning was granted outside the village envelope was on condition that there was some 'affordable' housing.

“If the developer is now saying that providing that type of housing is beyond their means, surely that is their problem.”

Another said: “Developers should not be allowed to move the goalposts after an agreement has been put in place.

“To allow this now sets a very bad precedent for the future and the council should absolutely not allow this.”