Affordable Housing Policy

Following the adoption of the Development Control Policies by Full Council on 19th July 2007, developers are expected to contribute towards affordable housing in the district if they propose to build two or more dwellings.

Outlined below is a brief summary of what the policy will mean in relation to affordable housing.

The amount of affordable housing sought will be 40% or more on all sites of two or more dwellings. The occupation of such housing will be limited to people in housing need and must be available over the long-term.
Within individual developments, the proportion and type of affordable housing will be the subject of negotiation. Account will be taken of any particular costs associated with the development and other viability considerations.
The appropriate mix in terms of housing tenures and house sizes will be determined by local circumstances.
Affordable housing will be distributed through the development in small groups or clusters.
In exceptional circumstances, on smaller sites, the Council may accept financial contributions towards off-site provision where affordable housing cannot reasonably be provided on site.

Exception Sites for affordable housing are part of the Policy whereby planning permission that would not normally be given may be granted for schemes of 100% affordable housing designed to meet identified local housing needs.

An Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document is available that provides further guidance on the affordable housing policy.