The site currently has planning permission for Copcut Business Park, which includes the new Sainsburys, Costa and EV charging station, alongside two large commercial units on the southern part of the site which received a lot of objections from local residents.
The Sainsburys, Costa and EV charging station will continue to be delivered, however we are intending to replace the two large commercial units with around 35 additional homes, 30% of which will be affordable homes. The affordable homes will be provided as First Homes available to purchase at a discounted price, rather than social rent. These revised plans will also enable the delivery of a new community building for Copcut Rise, located on Centenary Way.
The planning application for the commercial buildings received a large volume of objections from local residents expressing concern that it would be out of place in the context of a residential area and also expressing concerns about potential noise and safety issues related to commercial vehicle movements. In addition, changing market conditions mean there has been no interest in the planned commercial units from any potential occupiers.
The planning application for the new homes, alongside an update to the previously submitted planning application for residential units on the vacant compound off Centenary Way, will be subject to a legal agreement called a Section 106 agreement. This is legally binding and ensures the delivery of the community facility. The proposed site for this is immediately adjacent to the vacant compound. The proposed community building is a separate site, and requires a separate planning application which is to be submitted alongside the planning application for the revised plans for Roman Way.
In 2022 we submitted a planning application for 19 homes on this vacant compound site. This is awaiting a decision from the council. To assist in enabling the delivery of the community building on the adjacent plot, and to provide a new approach to affordable housing, we are proposing one additional home on this site and to deliver First Homes rather than homes for social rent.
First Homes are a type of affordable housing that are available to buy and own, in contrast to social rent affordable homes. First Homes are sold at a discount of at least 30% against the market value, and with a price cap of £250,000 applied. Eligibility criteria apply that ensure they are only available to people on lower incomes such as key workers. When a First Home is sold to its first owner, a legal restriction is entered onto the Title Register. This restriction is intended to ensure that the title cannot be transferred to another owner unless the relevant local authority certifies to HM Land Registry that the First Homes criteria and eligibility criteria have been met, including the discounted sale price. This means that First Homes remain affordable even if they are sold on.
The original allocation for Copcut Rise in the Local Plan included the provision of these commercial units. However, market forces and the concerns of residents demonstrate that this is not a suitable location for commercial units of this kind. We would like to be able to show the council that local residents support the removal of the commercial units, and their replacement with a small number of additional homes and a new community building. Your feedback will help us to demonstrate this.
This will be dependent on the length of time taken by Wychavon District Council to determine our planning application. It will be delivered alongside the residential units.