Tracked Version of Core Strategy, November 2012 - Selby District ...

Selby District Submission Draft Core Strategy – May 2011
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affordable housing to be provided. In addition to an assessment of
need PPS3 indicates the target should take into account risks to
delivery, the likely level finance available for affordable housing and
the level of developer contribution that can reasonably be achieved.
5.82 The Council’s 2009 SHMA 21 , concludes that the affordable housing
need arising from local requirements in the District will amount to
some 409 affordable homes (gross) each year over the period 2009 –
2014. Clearly this represents an unrealistically high figure in delivery
terms, given existing levels of public funding available and the levels
of affordable housing provision likely to be achievable through market
housing schemes in association with an overall target house building
rate of 440 450 (PC5.38) dwellings per annum. The level of need
emphasises the importance of the Council exploiting all sources of
funding for affordable housing provision in addition to that which can
be achieved in association with private developments.
5.83 Affordable housing provision through the planning system is, however,
by far the most important delivery mechanism and is likely to remain
so for the foreseeable future. The Affordable Housing Economic
Viability Study demonstrates that provision from this source is heavily
dependent upon economic circumstances and the health of the
private housing market at any one time.
5.84 Despite the likely variation in economic circumstances over the Core
Strategy period, to meet PPS3 requirements the Council has set itself
a long term target for the Core Strategy period of 40% affordable
housing from the total housing provision from all sources, not just in
association with private developments.
5.85 It is acknowledged that this is a challenging target and the Council will
use its best endeavours to facilitate affordable housing schemes
wherever and however the opportunities arise. For example we will
continue to work pro-actively with Registered Providers and other
stakeholders to pursue other mechanisms for delivery of affordable
housing. This will include the use of the Council’s own land for
affordable housing schemes, the delivery of homes through
Community Land Trusts and taking advantage of initiatives,
programmes and funding streams promoted by central Government.
Developer Contributions to Affordable Housing
a) Percentage Requirement
5.86 Faced with the need to establish a robust and stable policy in
circumstances where variable market factors may affect the ability of
private development to meet that need, the Council has taken a
pragmatic approach to affordable housing provision. The policy
establishes a target which has been shown to be viable in relatively
strong market conditions, and which therefore provides a stable upper
limit to the requirement to be sought from the private sector. At the
same time, the Council acknowledges that market conditions will not
always permit this target to be met and provision will be a matter for
21 Selby District Strategic Housing Market Assessment 2009
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