Issue - meetings

Following the deferral of this item at the Council meeting on 22 March, Cllr MacLeod to provide an update on discussions regarding the proposed amendment submitted by Cllr Mulliner.

113.1   At the invitation, Cllr MacLeod, Portfolio Holder for Planning Policy, gave an update on the Affordable Housing SPD, which had been deferred at the previous Council meeting on 22 March. Cllr MacLeod reminded Members that there had been general support for the Affordable Housing SPD, but Cllr Mulliner had proposed an amendment which he felt would further strengthen the Council’s position in relation to developers.

113.2   Planning and Legal Officers were continuing to discuss the proposed amendment with Cllr Mulliner, and whilst there had not been time to bring back the matter for Council consideration at this meeting, it would come back to Council on 27 April.

The purpose of this report is to seek the Executive’s approval of the Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), and to recommend that it is formally adopted by the Council.

The proposed SPD sets out the Council’s approach for securing affordable housing in accordance with the application of relevant planning policies contained in Local Plan Part 1. It follows consultation on the draft SPD, which took place in two phases, 9^th November – 14^th December 2018 and 1^st July – 16^th August 2019.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Executive recommends to the Council that the affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) be approved.

74.1    Cllr Andy MacLeod, Portfolio Holder for Planning Policy and Brightwells, introduced the Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which was recommended to Council for adoption. The SPD had started development under the previous administration and set out the council’s approach for securing affordable housing in accordance with the application of relevant planning policies contained in Local Plan Part 1. The approach remained to require on site provision of affordable housing by developers, and to allow financial contributions only in exceptional circumstances. It also confirmed that the council would continue to seek 70% of affordable housing for social/affordable rent, and 30% to be for intermediate/shared ownership. Whilst noting that the increase in home-working during the pandemic had highlighted the challenges of living in a one-bed dwelling, the Strategic Housing Market Assessment prepared for Local Plan Part 1 guided the mix of sizes for affordable housing that the council would be seeking.

74.2    The Executive RESOLVED to recommend to Council that the Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document be approved.