AN “OUT OF DATE” analysis has “scuppered” social housing at two Wee County developments, it has been revealed at a council meeting.

The issue around Clackmannanshire Council's Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA) came to light at the May 2 meeting of the Planning Committee as elected members were discussing plans for a major housing development in Sauchie.

As previously reported, the development was initially rejected by councillors but planning permission in principle (PPP) was granted on appeal by a reporter appointed by the Scottish ministers.

At the meeting, Cllr Kenny Earle highlighted that for a major housing development, with permission for up to 1,000 houses, there is a clear lack of social housing being provided.

In response an officer explained they have to work within the provisions of the PPP granted on appeal and said: “That didn't provide or require the developer to bring forward social or affordable housing – and that argument was put at the appeal and the council wasn't successful in that argument.”

Planners did ask for the housing mix to be reviewed but the officer added that they have “no powers” to require that and it would be up to the developers to consider it.

Cllr McTaggart highlighted that when the case went to appeal, one of the things considered was the local authority's HNDA.

However, this was “out of date”.

Indeed, the council's website features an HNDA from 2011 along with a draft 2014 summary but it is understood there are hopes to refresh this by the end of this year.

Cllr McTaggart said: “As it stands right now it was the HNDA that really scuppered us with that [appeal] so much so that the Alloa Park site, which did have an inclusion of social housing, was appealed and they won the appeal that they don't have to provide social housing because that set a precedent.

"There was social housing there at the beginning, but they won it on appeal."

Cllr Coyne asked whether a refreshed HNDA could affect future phases so that they do include social housing.

An officer said: “In the case of this development, the planning permission in principle sets the framework for the development for all the phases.”

Debating the masterplan, Cllr Donald Balsillie said he hoped the council can work with the developers in the future to introduce affordable housing, potentially on land that is being safeguarded for a potential school – if that does not go ahead.

Cllr Kenny Earle added: “I hope that as the development goes on in the next 15 years, and with the new housing analysis, we will be able to provide some form of social housing within the site.”