Core Strategy Preferred Options document - Amazon Web Services

Strategies, Activities and Actions – Housing
The Strategic Housing
Market Assessment
recommends that
Local Authorities do
not set rigid
requirements for the
size of dwellings to be
constructed,
particularly in relation
to market housing.
The market itself is
adept at matching the
size of dwellings to
market demand at a
local level.
The presence of high
performing schools
within Rochford District
has influenced the
demand for family
housing in the area.
Dwelling Types
It is not enough that housing development meets projected need simply
in terms of the pure numbers of dwellings provided. The type of
dwellings provided is also important.
Historically, the mix of house types in the District has tended to have
been dominated by larger houses at the higher end of the market. Whilst
this has contributed to the character of the District as it is today, the
concern is that if such a pattern were to continue it would not meet the
needs of the whole community, particularly as the trend is for smaller
household sizes due to social and demographic changes.
The Strategic Housing Market Assessment for Thames Gateway South
Essex notes that although the majority of household demand growth is
expected to result from increasing single person households, a high
proportion of these are existing older households who already have
housing and are unlikely to downsize.
However, there is a high demand locally for three-bedroom properties for
families and it should be noted that the demand for house types can
change over relatively short periods of time due to a variety of
circumstances, and may vary across the District. As such we will keep
the District’s housing need under constant review.
It is important that a mix of house types is provided on larger sites coming
forward to deliver mixed communities, as opposed to developments
which cater entirely for only one demographic group.
H5 Dwelling Types – Preferred Option
New developments shall contain a mix of dwelling types to ensure
they cater for all people within the community, whatever their housing
needs. The development of both affordable and market housing
should have regard to local need by, for example, referring to the
Strategic Housing Market Assessment.
A proportion of the affordable housing provision within developments
will be required to be in the form of three-bedroom dwellings.
Developers should consult with our Strategic Housing Team in order
to determine the required mix of house types prior to submitting
planning applications.
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