A DEVELOPER’S bid to slash the number of affordable homes at a controversial development in Shoebury has been thrown out by Southend Council.

Bellway Homes attempted to cut the affordable housing contribution at its 214-home Barge Pier Road site from 30 per cent to just ten per cent after claiming the cost of flood mitigation work at the development had increased.

Under the initial agreement approved in 2021, 65 affordable homes were required, with 39 affordable rented homes and 26 shared ownership homes.

At a development control meeting on Wednesday, Ron Woodley, independent councillor for Thorpe Ward, said there was “no match” between what the council requires and what was being offered.

He added: “It is not the council’s or our residents’ fault because the developer states that costs rises are forcing them to reduce their commitment to our policies, which they have planning permission for and should be committed to build.”

If agreed, the reduction in affordable housing would have seen just 21 affordable rented flats built.

Peter Lovett, chairman of Shoebury Residents’ Association, insisted the developer could afford to honour the agreement.

He said: “Bellway made a profit of £533million in 2023. Our schools are overloaded, roads at bursting point. Our doctors have over 4,000 patients each.

“Two-thirds of our first time buyers already seek premises outside Southend or go private rented accommodation or join the housing list. Londoners are selling their expensive houses to move to Southend leaving residents last in queue.”

The controversial scheme will see thousands of lorry movements as earth is brought in to raise the site which is on a flood plain.

Speaking at the meeting, Kieran Wheeler, agent for Bellway Homes said the amendment was necessary as flood mitigation costs had risen.

He added “The viability position has been robustly tested by the council’s independent consultant. From this, it is agreed that the scheme could not afford any affordable housing. However, Bellway recognise the importance of affordable housing in the city and are proposing 21 tenure-blind affordable rented units as an ex-gratia offer despite the conclusions of viability.”

A review will be carried out at a later stage and if the scheme is found to be more profitable than expected, the council will receive a percentage of the increased profits.

The committee agreed reserved matters details of the scheme, including cycle paths and parking and wildlife mitigation measures.