Planning Applications PDF 1 MB - Meetings, agendas and minutes

3.10 and 3.11; b) affordable housing targets adopted in line with policy 3.11; c) the need
to encourage rather than restrain residential development (Policy 3.3); d) the need to
promote mixed and balanced communities (Policy 3.9); e) the size and type of
affordable housing needed in particular locations; and f) the specific circumstances of
individual sites.' The London Plan goes on to say that 'the Mayor wishes to encourage,
not restrain overall residential development. Boroughs should take a reasonable and
flexible approach to securing affordable housing on a site by site basis. Boroughs
should take into account economic viability and the most effective use of public and
private investment, including the use of developer contributions. Development
appraisals should be provided to demonstrate that the scheme maximises affordable
housing output.'
3.15 Core Strategy Borough Wide Strategic Policy H2 Affordability sets a target for 40%
of additional dwellings to be affordable, with a preference for intermediate and
affordable rented. It also states that in 'negotiating for affordable housing the council will
take into account financial viability'.
3.16 The need for intermediate housing, rather than social housing in the Borough is
highlighted in the supporting text for Policy H2. Paragraph 8.17 goes on to say that
although the stock of intermediate affordable housing has increased in the last 10 years
it still makes up only about 1,850 dwellings or just over 2% of the housing stock. This
compares to over 3,000 households registered for low cost homeownership on the H&F
Homebuy Register. Paragraph 8.20 highlights a severe lack of affordable market
housing in H&F coupled with a probable reduction in owner occupation. The above
demonstrates that there is a need to increase the supply of intermediate affordable
housing. The supporting text also suggests that even if the entire 40% affordable
housing target (almost 3,000 dwellings by 2021/22) is intermediate housing, this will still
only increase the intermediate housing stock to about 4,800 dwellings or about 5.5% of
the total dwelling stock.
3.17 Paragraph 8.21 goes on to stress that as house prices and market rents are so
high in H&F, intermediate housing and affordable rented housing needs to be affordable
to a broad range of incomes. The income range of households that cannot afford market
housing in H&F is £19,900 to £79,400 for households that require 4 or more bedrooms.
It states that the council will encourage the provision of a variety of intermediate housing
products that will assist people who cannot afford market housing to buy (e.g. shared
ownership, equity share, discounted market sale) or rent (e.g. affordable rented
housing). The provision and affordability of such housing will be taken into account in
considering the appropriate proportion of affordable housing on individual sites.
3.18 The application proposes 6 affordable housing units (2 x 1 bed, 4 x 2 bed)
representing 60% of the overall development. All of these units would be provided as
intermediate housing (discounted market sale). Two of the six units (a third) would be
sold to applicants with a household income of up to £30,000 p.a., two of the units (a
third) would be sold to applicants with a household income of up to £40,000 p.a. and
two of the units (a third) would be sold to applicants with a household income of up to
£60,000 p.a. This equates to an average household income of £43,300 and is in line
with the Council guidance on affordability levels for low cost homeownership. The
affordable homes would be sold to people who live or work within the borough and this
process would be managed by the Council's HomeBuy department.