A HOUSING developer blocked from building more than 200 homes has lost its appeal.

Bosses at Taylor Wimpey wanted to build on the former Roche site on Broadwater Road, WGC, but refused to include adequate affordable housing in their scheme.

They also refused to pay towards the cost of surrounding infrastructure.

The company applied for planning permission from Welwyn Hatfield Council in May last year, but councillors refused it on nine issues.

Welwyn Hatfield Council’s district plan requires a minimum of 30 per cent affordable housing in all new schemes.

Taylor Wimpey argued due to the cost of the land, they could not provide affordable housing and make a profit, which would make the scheme unviable.

The appeal was heard by government inspector Tony Davison.

Dismissing the appeal he stated: “The appellants have failed to demonstrate the scheme could not provide the required amount of affordable housing while remaining economically viable.”

He added: “Furthermore, this is one of the larger available housing sites in the borough which makes it all the more important that it should, as far as possible, provide the requisite amount of affordable units.

“As the council pointed out, it might be difficult to make up any shortfall elsewhere.”